A Dying Breed U-Hi Athlete Thrives On Playing 3 Sports

Chris Short is, in the words of one University High coach, a dinosaur.

“He’s a three-sport athlete, which is a dying breed,” said U-Hi baseball coach Don Ressa. “Chris does it all.”

Demands on athletes to play a sport year-round have forced most to specialize. Not Short, who is the Titan football quarterback, plays basketball in winter and baseball in the spring.

“I just don’t want to feel I’m missing anything,” the 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior said. “Ten years from now I don’t want to look back and say I regretted not playing a sport.”

Coming out of Horizon Junior High, Short initially had considered specializing in baseball. A call from football coach Mike Ganey changed his mind.

“I had heard three sports was hard,” Short said. “He talked me into giving it a try.”

It was a sound decision. Going into Thursday night’s game against North Central, Short was the Greater Spokane League’s leading passer.

In four games for the 2-2 Titans, he has completed 48 of 82 attempts for 619 yards and four touchdowns. He’s rushed for another.

“The main thing,” said Ganey, “is that Chris has worked hard and matured. His throwing has improved and he has a better grasp of the game.”

Make that games for an athlete whose time and attention is divided among a trio of sports.

“The only time it’s really tough is in the summer,” said Short. “It gets pretty busy.”

The demands of sports camps, summer basketball and baseball leagues make life hectic.

Short explained how in July he left early from U-Hi’s participation in the University of Idaho basketball camp in Moscow to take part in U-Hi’s football contact camp.

The day after he got back home he pitched for his American Legion baseball team.

“You have to sacrifice things, like time at the lake, family and your social life,” said Short. “It seems worth it on game days.”

Coaches don’t necessarily like to share their athletes, but at U-Hi they are understanding when someone like Short makes that choice.

“They know when the season begins we’ll be there and give it our full concentration,” he said.

Short made varsity in baseball as a sophomore pitcher-outfielder and started last year. He made varsity his junior year in basketball, although he didn’t play much.

“He didn’t get a lot of varsity time but did great when he played,” said coach Jay Humphrey. “He should start this year.”

Reaching regionals in both sports has been his high school highlight.

In football last year, Short was U-Hi’s strong safety on defense and backup quarterback. This year, the quarterback job was his.

“Having seniority and being in the system and understanding things helps,” he said. “But I didn’t expect at this point to be leading the league in passing.”

Football, he said, has been fun and playing multiple sports has helped him become a better athlete. It’s a decision he’s never regretted.

Besides, Short continued, there is probably no pro career awaiting in the future.

“My decision was that once I started doing all three I’d stick with it, or at least try to,” he said. “I’d do it over again for sure. It’s been way too fun to miss.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo