By STEFAN BONDY
Assistant Sports Editor
The Hopatcong hero has decided to stay in New Jersey, which is fitting for a kid with such local distinction.
Rutgers supporters should be doing cartwheels for nabbing such a class act as Joe Martinek, who verbally committed to the football team on Thursday. With his business-like approach and calm demeanor, the teenager could write a book on athletic determination. Not to mention he will be New Jersey's all-time leading rusher with a highlight video that looks like Bo Jackson in the original Tecmo Bowl.
It's a shame he didn't get more or better offers. Vanderbilt, Florida International and West Virginia aren't exactly jaw-dropping programs.
Maybe it's because he plays for a small school in a small league. Or, maybe they think he's too small.
Oh well. Their loss, our gain.
Finally, there's a reason to root for Rutgers. For a while it was like being a baseball fan in Kansas City. Sure, Jersey folks wanted Rutgers to win, but it didn't matter because they lost — all the time.
Now the football program is looking up, Martinek is on the way and I want a scarlet uniform.
"Rutgers is on the uprising," Martinek said. "And I want to be a part of that."
Martinek doesn't know where he'll play for the Scarlet Knights, although his preference is running back. Most insiders project him at safety and doubt he's physically ready to be a Division-I running back.
But it's never a good idea to doubt Martinek.
I learned that at the 2005 track and field Meet of Champions, where Martinek, a sophomore at the time, redefined versatility.
He competed in four events, sprinting from one to the other, and placed in three (triple jump, high jump and javelin). In the triple jump, an event, he learned just a few weeks prior, Martinek set the county record.
He's just that gifted.
Experts can talk all they want about size. But anytime a kid can run 40 yards in 4.4, high jump 6-8, long jump 22-6 and throw a javelin 195-0, he has Division-I tools.
Even if Martinek goes to safety, a move that appears likely, he's not one to complain.
"Wherever they need me, I'll play," he said.
A full scholarship was a high priority for Martinek, and he said the process was both nerve-racking and annoying.
Rutgers was the first to offer last September, but he wanted his options open. After a year of frustration, which included the cold-shoulder from top programs, Martinek decided his best opportunity was just an hour drive south.
"I realized that I shouldn't be waiting for these teams, they should be waiting for me," he said. "Everything I want is at Rutgers, so why should I pass that up?"
So the local star goes to the local team — perfect harmony. And make no mistake, Martinek is a star.
This fall, while he descends upon the state rushing mark, his name will dominate the high school sports pages.
He even has his own website, www.joemartinek.com, with a description that reads: "This site is an online gallery of one of the greatest high school football players in New Jersey history."
But you wouldn't figure Martinek for fame by talking to him. As good as he is at avoiding tackles, he is better at humility.
"I want to be remembered as a hard-working kid who made right decisions and left something special behind at Hopatcong," he said.
No matter what happens his senior year, he will be remembered for all that and more.