Scott Dochat was one of the most intimidating football players to ever take the field at Canisius College.  The relentless defensive end finished his playing career holding the school records for career sacks (27.5), fumble recoveries in a career (9), single-season (5), and tackles for a loss in a single season (18-for-97 yards).  The 1997 MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year is currently a teacher and coach at Shenendehowa Central Schools, and is married with two children.  In this article, we reflect on the playing career of one of the last great football players the Demske Sports Complex turf would ever see.

Russ Burton: What is your strongest memory of first becoming a Griff?
Scott Dochat: I remember opening that bag the first day of camp with all of our equipment in it, pulling out my jersey and not having a number on it.  I remember looking at the guy next to me and saying, “This probably isn't a good sign, is it?”  I'll never forget, the jersey over the shoulder pads was only single-ply and tore apart almost instantly!  (Laughs)

RB: You hold the school record for sacks.  Does one stick out more than others?
SD: Actually, yes.  It's surprising how many of the details I remember, but the last one stands out the most.  It was the one that gave me the record.  I was aware of it, mostly because my friends made me aware, so I knew what was at stake.  I remember hitting him, and then going over and slapping hands with Mike Fatta, because he was one of the ones who made me aware.  It was also always fun hitting the quarterbacks from Georgetown and Duquesne, because those games were so challenging.

RB: You had a habit of making big plays.  Was that something you sought out to do or was it purely instinct for you?
SD: I was just doing what I practiced.  I never tried to improvise or go out of frame.  I was never a free-lancer, because I didn't feel like I was talented enough of a player to go off on my own.  I just tried to stay technically sound, and that usually put me in the right situation.  That's why I'm most proud of the forced-fumble and fumble-recovery records, because it shows whistle-to-whistle work ethic.  I would do what I practiced and eventually those plays would just fall into my lap, because I put myself in the right spot.

RB: Did you have any weird pre-game rituals?
SD: Not really, I wasn't a big music guy, which is what most guys did.

RB: Did you rub Brian Swatland's belly for luck?
SD: (Laughs) No, not pre or post game!  Actually now that I think of it, I always took a colder shower than usual.  It was a wake-up call for my body.  It let my body know I was about to get to do something different and special.

RB: One thing you pride yourself on is that you never missed a practice.  We even got into a car accident on the way the way there, missing practice was never an option.  Why was it so important to you?
SD: To me, it showed a base commitment level.  You need it to prepare yourself for the upcoming game.  I always tell my players now, “The hard way is the best way.”  If you work hard, good things will come from it.  Plus, it was fun for me.  We had a good group of guys, the drills were fun and challenging, and I loved going one-on-one with the offensive linemen.

RB: You were fortunate enough to have (defensive tackle) Brian Swatland next to you for all four years.  How much did he help you?
SD: He was a big part of why I was able to achieve these goals.  We had a great connection and friendship, and we both had the same goals and end results in mind.  His ability goes unnoticed because of the position, but he was constantly getting double-teamed and he was the best at eating them up.  When you have the best defensive lineman in the league next to you for four years, you can't help but be better for it.  That and he would always remind me what the defensive calls were.  I would usually forget by the time we got to the line what play was called and he would tell me.  

RB: What team did you dislike playing against the most?
SD: St. John's without a doubt.  There's really no reason.  I guess it's because they handed us some of our worst losses, and we should have beat them.

RB: The only game you didn't start was your first game freshman year.  Do you remember getting called up?
SD: Well, I remember the first play. I got blown off the line and thought I would never see the field again!  I eventually got into synch because we had such a great defensive unit.  Unfortunately, we had a few injuries and they needed me to play more of a role, so that's what I did.

RB: What are your feelings now about going into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame?
SD: It's strange.  All of this attention is not my forte.  It is definitely humbling, and I appreciate the honor, but I am uncomfortable being at the center of attention.  The biggest thing for me is that all of the players that were around me know how grateful I am to them for making me better.

Russ Burton is currently the Morning Show Producer/Buffalo Bills Gameday Producer for WGRF-97 Rock in Buffalo. He graduated from Canisius in 1998 and is working toward his master's degree in sport administration at the College.