For Danny Bokinsky, playing football at the collegiate level was always an aspiration. Earlier this week, it became a reality for the Indian River senior, as he signed his letter of intent with Southern Virginia University.

Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Danny Bokinsky (front row, center), pictured with mother Leah, father Bo, IR football coaches Jim Bunting and Paul Kmetz, and brother Timmy, signed his letter of intent earlier this week with Southern Virginia University, where he plans to play football.
“It’s always been my dream to play football in college,” he said. “I feel great to finally be able to do it. I’m very excited.”

The wide receiver and corner back had devoted his youth to football, from the Pop Warner league through middle and high school teams.

“I’ve been playing the game since I was 12,” he said. “From suiting up as a freshman and not playing much my first year to participating in almost every play on both offense and defense, it’s great to see the progress.”

At SVU, Bokinsky will play under first-year head coach DeLane Fitzgerald, who has operated as the team’s offensive coordinator, special teams coordinator and secondary coach since 2006. Southern Virginia University awarded Bonkinsky an athletic scholarship and even anticipates him suiting up for the very first game.

“The coach and team expect a lot out of me,” said Bokinsky, “but seeing everything progress through high school, I think I’m ready. It’s really neat to see it develop. They’re a great group of people, and they’re really enthusiastic.”

After overcoming a leg injury that benched him at the end of the 2008 football season and throughout his senior wrestling season, Indian River head football coach Jim Bunting is assured, he’s itching to get back out there.

“He definitely has an appreciation for the sport,” Bunting said. “I know he can’t wait to play football again.”

“We’re excited for him, obviously,” said Danny’s father, Bo, who has worked very closely with the IR varsity football program. “He’s progressed so far since he was a kid. He’s always been athletic and he loves the game. He’s worked very hard to get here. Danny doesn’t just think about the sport on Friday nights. He thinks about it all the time.”

Bunting, who had watched Bokinsky develop over the years, was pleased to see another IR athlete rise to the top.

“I think what’s exciting about Danny is that he accepted that role as a freshman,” Bunting said. “He understood what we tell our kids about starting out, and he understood the idea of work ethics, which comes from his parents. Danny was out there without griping or complaining, willing to come in the summertime as a ninth grader, catching passes. And it’s all paid off for him.”

Bunting added that Bokinsky possesses patience, which made him a valuable asset to the team over time.

“This is one more kid among 900-some who is going on to play in college,” Bunting said. “That really says a lot for our program and for the school.”