Lake Central's Spearman switches from Ole Miss to Eastern Michigan

MUNSTER | It is a typical human story. Many, if not most, have wrestled with this condition found on this planet.

A dream sparks early. Hard work builds hope. Improvement evolves. In time everything one wishes for comes to pass. Joy emerges.

Then, out of nowhere, the dream vanishes into thin air.

That's what happened to Lake Central senior Ike Spearman. He verbally committed to play football at Ole Miss in October. A few weeks later, Rebels coach Houston Nutt was forced out.

Spearman's dream and future was in limbo.

"I've prayed all through this process," Spearman said on Wednesday. "I would not be where I am without God's help."

When Hugh Freeze took over the Ole Miss' program, Spearman realized it was a different day. It seemed quite dark for a while.

"When he decided to decommit, it was very emotional," said Jacquie Spearman, Ike's mom. "It brought him a lot of sadness."

The Spearmans were at the Family Christian Center in Munster on Wednesday. Spearman was signing his National Letter of Intent to play football at Eastern Michigan.

His faith caused hope to be high even though the Southeastern Conference turned into the Mid-American Conference.

"My mom was a single mother," Ike said. "Things were hard when I was young. Church was very important to us. God brought us through a lot of tough situations."

"There were nights when Ike ate, and I didn't," Jacquie said.

Spearman was surrounded by family and friends Wednesday. His pastor, Steve Munsey, spoke highly of Spearman, who was a Times First Team All-Area player with 79 tackles and 17 tackles for loss.

The L.C. story is similar to Spearman's. In 2010 the Indians won two games. Spearman didn't start until the final two games of the season. This year Lake Central went 8-2 and won its first share of the Duneland Athletic Conference title.

And a little-known Indiana football player was offered a scholarship to a legendary football school in the deep South.

"I still have respect for Ole Miss, their coaches, players and fans," Spearman said. "But after the coaching change, it didn't feel like the right fit. So I put my whole career in God's hands. Again."

Spearman's faith connects with all of his life. While playing in a 7-on-7 tournament in Dallas last summer, he volunteered at a local homeless shelter.

He helped stack used clothing. He handed out food to those in need. He showed love to strangers. He told little kids to keep their heads up and never stop believing.

That's what his church family told him when his dream died.

"Ike is a young man with great vision. He put God first and chose to sign his letter at our church," Munsey said. "He's an example to young people today to make their stand.

"When you love God, your life is in his hands. If one door shuts, another one opens. Some say it's luck or chance. But Ike says it's God. He sees his future, and he's not discouraged."

Lake Central coach Brett St. Germain came to the signing and applauded his first D-I player in St. John. Spearman worked harder in the weight room than anyone else.

And he made the most of every opportunity.

"Ike's faith shows he has balance in his life," St. Germain said. "He is appreciative of the things in front of him. His hard work is why we're here today.

"There are other ways of looking at it. He's using his faith to get there."