By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – Jack Plumb, a 2018 Bay Port High School graduate, was a tight end in high school on the Pirates’ football team.
Two years later, he’s fighting for a starting spot on the offensive line at the University of Iowa in the Big Ten Conference.
The 6-foot-8, 295-pound Plumb traveled to Iowa City in early June to prepare for the upcoming year, but once the Big Ten voted to postpone the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he came home in mid-August to spend time with his family.
“It’s been a crazy time and a roller coaster of a ride this summer,” said Plumb, who went back to Iowa City later in August. “We started workouts June 8, which was a normal time for us. We were COVID tested when we got on campus, and if we were positive, we got quarantined. We could only lift weights with our roommates, and our strength coaches brought everything to us.”
During the last two weeks of summer workouts, Plumb said he had to wear a mask.
“That stunk, but we have to do what is asked to help out,” he said. “We were on our fourth day of camp when the season got canceled. On the third day of camp when the Big Ten said we couldn’t have a padded practice, we knew something was up.”
Plumb said the team’s meeting with head coach Kirk Ferentz after the cancellation was emotional.
“We were all mad,” he said. “The first thing we did was turn on the television and watch the announcement about the season being canceled. Gary Barta, our athletic director, said how mad he was, and he knew we were all mad, too. We were practicing in camp ready to go – doing our testing, wearing our masks and doing everything asked of us. It didn’t seem like anything new came out to cancel the season.”
Plumb said Barta told the team he and the president of the university, Bruce Harreld, “we’re all in for a season to be held.”
“It’s good to know our athletic director, president and coaches all wanted us to play,” Plumb said.
The SEC, ACC, Big 12 and Conference USA are all playing this fall, but Plumb said he’s not holding out hope the Big Ten will change its mind.
“I guess if a vaccine or another miracle happens soon, maybe there’s still a chance,” he said. “Our coaches told us not to get our hopes up, but maybe we can play in the spring. We were all hoping we could play this fall, but our coaches said we need to be careful about going out and transferring on emotion alone. We need to be patient and stick to the plan. You don’t want to regret your decision. Who knows, other conferences might end up canceling as well.”
Plumb was the backup left tackle last season and was on the field goal and extra point teams.
“I was able to travel and play in every game,” said Jack, the son of John and Susie Plumb. “When we were up in games, I was also able to play at left tackle. Coming into this season, I was in a battle with two other guys for the starting right tackle position.”
Plumb’s grandpas – Fritz Shurmur and Ted Plumb – both have NFL coaching experience, and Jack said he has visions of playing on Sundays after his career at Iowa is completed.
“That’s the plan,” he said. “I have to get stronger, work on technique and grow my football knowledge. I’m hoping I can get a shot in the NFL.”
Plumb was also a four-year varsity basketball player at Bay Port, scoring his 1,000th career point late into his senior season.
Editor’s note: University of Iowa sports teams halted all workouts through at least Sept. 7 after 93 positive tests for COVID-19 were revealed from the week before.
Reports are stating the Big Ten is considering a possible return to play in October or November, but as of press time, no official announcement has been made.