CENTENNIAL —Anthony Karmazyn says he tries not to think about it, although it’s not that simple. “I want to stay positive,” the recently graduated senior from Eaglecrest High School insisted. That’s not easy when you have lost your father way too early.
The Denver Post’s 2015 Dick Connor ACE Award winner, a rare three-sport athlete on the Class 5A level for the Raptors, watched helplessly with his two sisters and mother two years ago as Mike Karmazyn quickly succumbed to cancer of the esophagus brought on by a bout with acid reflux. He was only 50 years old, a longtime ramp serviceman for United Airlines and heavily involved in Aurora Youth League play, notably with the Spartan Gold football team.
More than that, he was a terrific dad who knew how to balance fun with discipline.
“I’m just trying to go on,” Anthony said.
The younger Karmazyn has used sports to help deal with his loss, and it has worked.
“It was important for him to be around the football team,” Eaglecrest football coach Mike Schmitt said. “We were all such a good support system for him.”
Down the stretch of the 2013 regular season, Mike Karmazyn, who had witnessed and/or coached every down his son played since strapping on shoulder pads as a youth, had to be helped from the press box at Legacy Stadium in Aurora. He died within a week. He was buried in Aliquippa, Pa., where his family attended services, yet Anthony never missed a commitment.
“(Anthony) actually left, went out there and came back and still played in the Valor (Christian) game the next week in the playoffs,” Schmitt said. “It was never a question of whether he would be there or not. His dad wanted him there for everything.”
A service also was held locally, where Centennial League rivals and those with ties to Aurora’s youth leagues also attended.
It was necessary for family members, friends and acquaintances to let the Karmazyns know they weren’t alone.
“It was pretty sudden what happened and we all showed our sympathy to him,” said Eaglecrest defensive end and outside linebacker Russell Denny, who’s headed to play at Concordia in Seward, Neb. “(Anthony) never missed a practice, he was there every time. I definitely think he handled it well.”
But it was not easy.
“I was thinking a lot when it first happened,” Karmazyn said. “I went to practice every day trying not to struggle with it. Coach Schmitt did a lot for us; he has been kind of a father figure.”
Saying it was what his father wanted, Karmazyn continued to throw himself into sports.
As a tight end, the 6-foot-6, 220-pounder made second team all-Centennial after piling up 44 receptions for 753 yards (17.1-yard average) and seven touchdowns. He opened the postseason with eight catches for 121 yards and a touchdown in the preliminaries against Legacy, and six catches for 179 yards and a touchdown against Ralston Valley as the Raptors, despite entering the playoffs with a 4-5 record, came within a 56-yard field goal on the final play of the game of making it to the state quarterfinals.
In basketball, he either started at forward or was the Raptors’ sixth man as they finished with a 21-6 record and made it to the state semifinals. And in track he was a weight thrower, doubling in the discus and shot put.
“The year before he was a sprinter,” Schmitt said.
Karmazyn will play football at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. NCAA Division II national champion CSU-Pueblo also was interested, he said.
“He’s one of those guys who didn’t get any D-I offers and you wonder why,” Schmitt said. “He’s a 6-6 kid who can run. He’s an athlete. He could be a big piece of what (the Vikings) do. They know they have a gem.”
He will move to Augustana in August, which will be another test emotionally.
“I’m extremely proud of this kid,” said his mother, Kristin Karmazyn, the director of facilities for all of Colorado’s 300 7-Elevens. “He has gotten through this better than the other two (sisters Kayla and Shay), maybe because it’s boys versus the girls … but (Anthony) has recovered very well.”
Schmitt said he may accompany Karmazyn to Sioux Falls to help with the transition. The now 18-year-old will be enrolling with an undeclared major, but his purpose remains crystal clear.
“My dad wanted me to get to college,” he said.
Said Schmitt: “One of the last conversations I had with his dad was that he said he wanted me to help Anthony get to college. He’s going.
“Anthony has handled it with strength and grace. He’s just a stand-up kid.”
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or
By Anthony Karmazyn
When I look back at my childhood, I took a lot for granted. I never imagined that I would lose my father when I was 16 and that our relationship would be short-lived. I hadn’t realized how much he had impacted my life. I remember our daily workouts, especially for football. He taught me how to stand on my feet and play the game with leadership and respect. I also remember the not-so-pleasant times the fighting about sports and him yelling me at me in the stands. Now that I look back, my dad had reasons for all of this. He showed his love through sports to everyone in the family, it was the way he connected with us. To this day, when I make a touchdown or a basket, for a second I forget he is gone and I listen for him to yell “I see you, Dog!” That was what he always yelled, and I knew that was his way of saying “I love you and see you.” I know I will never hear that again. I wish I could hear it just one more time. I don’t know if he ever knew how much those words meant to me.
My father wanted all of his children to be successful and happy in life. He built a foundation for us when we were younger to be hardworking and take nothing for granted. He pushed my sisters and I to become better athletes and emphasized the importance of being a good person and to always have integrity.
Now that he is gone, everything has been placed on my mother. My mom is the strongest woman I know. Since my dad’s passing, she has been there for every football and basketball game. She has been there for my ups and downs, and has been supportive in all of our decisions.
I know it’s going to be difficult when I leave home for college, especially for my mother. Our house will have one fewer child to keep her laughing, but deep down I know she will survive. At least that is what I have to believe to move forward.
Writing this essay made me realize that my life will only get better. As I leave for college this summer, I am eager to start my new family with the Augustana football team. I am grateful to be able to receive a good education.
Coach Schmitt made a speech at my signing ceremony and he recited a verse from the Bible. I don’t remember the verse; I only remember the words. He said, “You must have grief to have joy.” I know my mother has not grieved for my father. She has been too consumed with taking care of my sisters and me.
I now know my goals for the next four years: Play hard and never lose the passion for the game, study hard and become the man my father was. Once I accomplish these things, I will return home to my mother and take care of her so she may finally grieve for my father and then have the joy she deserves.
About the ACE Award
Former Denver Post sportswriter Dick Connor died in 1992 after an illustrious career. A longtime columnist, one of the few who hadn’t missed a Super Bowl, Connor took a personal interest in Colorado high school sports. Accordingly, The Denver Post offers the Dick Connor ACE (Adversity Conquered through Excellence) Award, which is presented annually to a high school senior who has overcome a handicap, hardship or tragedy to excel in sports. The winner must have exhibited courage, resolve, leadership and citizenship. This year’s winner, Anthony Karmazyn of Eaglecrest, was honored Friday at a luncheonwith Post personnel, the Karmazyn family, school personnel and Connor family members. Karmazyn received a $2,000 scholarship from The Denver Post and a copy of Connor’s book of columns.
AWARD WINNERS
1993: Ashley Tindle, Heritage
1994: Amy Feinsinger, Glenwood Springs
1995: Kelley C. Roswell, Central (G.J.)
1996: Jason Salazar, Denver East
1997: Allie Gausman, Fort Collins
1998: Kelly Rheem, Arapahoe
1999: Girls soccer team, Columbine
2000: Jon Severy, Aspen
2001: Ian Grant, Denver Christian
2002: Philip Devlin, Idalia
2003: Jeff Mielnicki, Cherry Creek
2004: Daniel Belger, Bear Creek
2005: Daniel Steefel, Littleton
2006: Patty Turgeon, Mullen
2007: Jordan Kessler, Broomfield
2008: Jonny Stevens, Battle Mountain
2009: Jimmy Schweitzer, Loveland
2010: Tanner Nemkov, Heritage
2011: Brysen Daughton, Lyons
2012: Karina Ernst, Thompson Valley
2013: Zach Golditch, Gateway
2014: Trevor Encinias, Pueblo West
2015: Anthony Karmazyn, Eaglecrest
