UM’s Lehner lends a helping hand Lineman hopes to facilitate teammate’s rushing record

Mark Lehner originally thought about becoming an elementary school teacher.

Now, the University of Maine senior sociology major is gravitating toward doing some social work upon graduation.

There’s something in Lehner that inspires him to want to help other people. That’s precisely his job as an offensive lineman for the Black Bears football team.

On Saturday afternoon, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound tackle from Herndon, Va., hopes to help teammate Marcus Williams become UMaine’s all-time leading rusher when the Bears travel to Rhode Island for an Atlantic 10 conference contest.

“That’s definitely something I’ll be proud to be part of,” Lehner said of Williams’ pending achievement. He is pleased to be blocking for somebody who has a mentality similar to his own.

“He’s very humble,” Lehner said of Williams. “He helps everybody keep the mentality of, we’re here to work, to get the job done.”

Lehner has gotten the job done in recent years. He started all 12 games at left tackle in 2002, struggled with injuries while starting six games at right guard last season and has been the Bears’ starting right tackle this season.

“I think he’s really developed into an outstanding offensive lineman for us,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “He’s played multiple roles and has adapted to both and done well. I think that’s a credit to his intellectual ability and his understanding of the offense and what we expect out of our guys up front.”

Lehner has missed the last two games with a sprained ankle, but is anxious to play in his final two games for UMaine.

“We were not able to go to the playoffs one last time and I wish we could, but this year I had more fun playing,” said Lehner, who credited offensive line coach John Strollo for making the season an enjoyable one.

Lehner, who has played football since age 9, always has enjoyed being an offensive lineman. And even though the big guys up front seldom get much recognition, they don’t have to look far for satisfaction.

It’s all about blocking for good gains, achieving first downs and paving the way for touchdowns.

“We don’t need the glory stuff,” Lehner said. “Every time you get a touchdown, that’s glory enough.”

It all comes back to being a facilitator in the greater scheme of things.

“As coach Strollo said, ‘It’s hard to find any other position in sports where your sole job is to protect other people,'” Lehner said.

Lehner had been recruited by two Atlantic 10 schools, James Madison and Richmond, in his home state of Virginia. However, when scholarship money wasn’t available, he took steps to find another school.

“I realized I wanted to play at the Division I level and I ended up sending tapes to every one of the Atlantic 10 schools,” said Lehner, who subsequently garnered enough interest from UMaine to receive a half-scholarship initially and a full scholarship later in his career.

“He came a long way to be here, geographically speaking,” said Cosgrove, who credited former assistant coach and Virginian Torrian Gray with helping to bring Lehner to Maine.

Lehner has two younger brothers who play football. Evan is a sophomore guard at Richmond, while 11-year-old Freddy is a youth participant.

Mark Lehner said growing up with his little brother helped foster his desire to work with young people.

“I helped bring him up and I really enjoyed being part of that,” Lehner said. “I still want to be able to work with kids.”