Beasley Finds New Home With Bulldog Football

University of Minnesota Duluth senior defensive back Tony Beasley has found a home away from home here at UMD playing for the Bulldogs.

Hailing from Sacramento California, Beasley finds himself almost 2,000 miles away from his hometown. Beasley, previously a two-year junior college player at Sierra College, has found a family here at UMD among his football brothers.

“Junior college football is all about getting out, really. That’s why players go to junior college football–to get out and go to the Division I or Division II football,” Beasley said. “UMD, it’s like a family here. When I came here I made myself at home instantly. They took me in and it was a great experience–I love being here.”

The Sacramento native wasted little time falling into stride as he started four of the final five games of the 2015 campaign at cornerback. By the end of the season, Beasley had 13 total tackles and one interception.

Beasley found himself a hot commodity during his time at Sierra college, the recipient of plenty of recruiting phone calls from Bulldog coaches.

“The coaches called me almost every day. They really showed like a lot of interest in me, so that’s why I made the choice to come out here, and it’s a good football program,” Beasley said.

Beasley is one of two players on the roster that took their talents to junior college football in California before coming to the northern tundra that is Duluth.

“Junior college is different, the college atmosphere is different, but playing-wise it allowed me to mature because I was fresh out of high school,” Beasley said. “Playing junior college, it allowed me to get the basics and when I came out here, I just flowed right on in.”

Following the conclusion of this year’s football season, Beasley has his sights set on two significant achievements.

“I want to get my degree and hopefully make some tryouts to the National Football League, but the main thing is really to get my degree,” Beasley said.

For Beasley, coming to UMD meant he had to leave his entire family back in Sacramento in order to play the game that he loves. Beasley quickly fell into place upon his arrival UMD.

“It really made me grow up when I moved out here,” Beasley said. “It’s like a brotherhood here, though. As soon as I got here they came and introduced themselves to me and it just took off from there, since day one.”

Being away from his family can be hard on Beasley at times but he isn’t letting that get in the way of doing his job as a student and as a football player.

“Family is everything,” Beasley said. “It’s definitely difficult being away from like my mom, my dad, my grandma, my brother.”