Kairos

About the Book

Kairos is the true story of Matt Frantz, who despite having no real high school football experience decided to scale one of college football's highest peaks by becoming a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes. After being rejected for two straight years, he relied only on his determination and obsession to wear the Scarlet and Gray by kicking 100 footballs every day until he earned a roster spot. What separates this story from any other is that he did more than just wear the uniform, he actually became a contributing member of the 1986-87 Ohio State Buckeyes by leading the team in scoring both seasons. After going from fifth string walk-on to starting place-kicker and helping the team to nine straight wins, Matt Frantz stood poised and ready to complete his dream by booting the final points through the goal posts, securing not only a victory over their arch rival, the Michigan Wolverines, but an outright Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Forty-six yards and three seconds later, the ball sailed wide of the goal posts. His miss not only punched the Wolverines' ticket to the Rose Bowl, but would be the start of the longest, loneliest year of his young life. It was a moment witnessed by millions, but experienced by only one. Not willing to allow the magnitude of that moment to define him or his career, Matt found a way to resurrect himself, and twelve months later had the opportunity to again deliver the winning points against Ohio State's arch rival. Think about the number of kids who grow up playing pee-wee and high school football, dreaming of playing in that game...Then think about the odds of a kid with the least experience taking center stage on college footballs biggest venue.....Twice!

About the Author

From 1985 to 1987, I was a proud member of the Ohio State football Buckeyes. For the past seven years I've worked as a bartender at an upscale steakhouse in Blue Ash, OH. When people hear of my history, they wonder how such an ordinary guy could have impacted college football's greatest rivalry....Twice! My goal in writing this book was to connect with the average guy who tunes in every Saturday, watching his favorite team; whether from his couch or at the game in person, and wonders what it must be like to run out in front of 100,000 screaming fans. No one gained more from the college football experience than I did. I say that not based on the memory of games played, field goals made or missed or even records set. I say that based on the fact that in a short span of time I had the opportunity to experience every emotion the game has to offer. From the exhilaration of running out of the tunnel onto the field in front of a frenzied crowd, to the humiliation of costing my team a victory against their arch rival. From the pride of bouncing back and kicking a game-winning 50 yard field goal to the devastation of knowing I'd cost my team and its fans a trip to the "promised land".... the Rose Bowl. My experience was unique because unlike the recruited players who were invited to be members of the organization, I had to break into the system and fight every day to keep my roster spot.