Devils' Zajeski makes grade, chooses Harvard

Hinsdale Central senior Rich Zajeski already had proven himself as a student.

Once Zajeski excelled for the Red Devils this fall on the football field, everything else fell into place.

Zajeski not only is excited to be attending Harvard University (Cambridge, Mass.), but also because he will be playing football for the Crimson, who have won or shared the past two Ivy League championships.

"With a name like Harvard, there's a reputation behind it and from the beginning it was flattering to be in contact with them. After learning more and more about the school, Harvard seemed like the best choice," Zajeski said. "I never really expected, even so much at the beginning of the season, to be playing at the next level. After I realized that I could, Ivy League schools seemed like a good fit at level of play and what I wanted academically as well."

The running back was a key component for the Class 8A state runner-up Red Devils, rushing for 912 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. As he excelled the first month of the season, several schools began showing interest in Zajeski, including most Ivy League teams. Zajeski, who has a 5.2 grade-point average on a 5.0 scale, made official visits to Harvard and Penn.

Last fall, Harvard (9-1, 6-1) became the first program in Ivy League history with eight consecutive seasons of at least seven victories.

"They've had a lot of success on the football field, and that goes with their success academically," Zajeski said.

"Coming from a team like Hinsdale Central, where you're used to winning, I did want to go somewhere where they win championships. It definitely was a big factor in my decision."

Hinsdale Central all-state nose tackle Pat Clegg will play at Division III Wabash (Ind.) College (10-2 in 2008), where he also could wrestle.

Jack Curatolo, Brendan Sullivan and Collin Watkins are finalizing their college football decisions, Hinsdale Central coach Mike DiMatteo said.