North Carolina State University Athletics
Program Spotlight: Josh Milinichik
10/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Ryan Beck, NC State Media Relations
Most NC State football players choose to play for the Wolfpack, but Josh Milinichik was born to don the red and white jersey. His father, Joe Milinichik, played on the offensive line for NC State in the mid-1980s, and onto the NFL for 10 seasons.
“My dad was All-ACC here in 1984, so I had no choice but to wear red and white growing up here in North Carolina,” said Milinichik. “Growing up playing football in middle school and at Apex High School I had a big desire to play here.”
Having a father that played in the NFL can be a huge advantage when it comes to learning the nuances of the game.
“My dad was a big help when it came to football,” said Milinichik. “He would tell me how to use my hands and what to expect on certain plays. He helped when talking about the offensive line blocking schemes. His main focus was teaching me to be aggressive during plays. Watching him on tape you could see he was very aggressive and violent. That’s how he played the game, and that’s how I try to play.”
Milinichik admits that while his dad played football, he was never pressured to play the sport.
“He never really pushed me into football,” Milinichik recalled. “I kind of fell into football, and it became my first love. I got into football in eighth grade, and it just blossomed from there into high school. Growing up watching him play, I started paying more attention when I got to go to the games like Super Bowl XXIX when the Chargers played the 49ers. That was when I started to understand the game. The fundamentals aspect didn’t come until high school.”
While it was Milinichik’s dream to play for the Pack growing up, he couldn’t pass up a free education. He ended up accepting a scholarship to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
“I got a preferred walk-on offer out of high school to NC State, but I decided to take the scholarship to James Madison, which was tough because the colors were purple and gold like East Carolina,” said Milinichik whose upbringing brought a dislike for certain colors.
Eventually Milinichik realized that James Madison wasn’t for him, and decided to come back home.
“About two years in the program, I fell out of it with the coaches and everything,” said Milinichik. “I had a desire to play Division I anyway and not Division I-AA, which is a big difference. I thought if I could play Division I-AA, why can’t I just play Division I. After the falling out with the coaches, I thought I should just come back and see what I can do at NC State, so I walked-on here. It’s always been easy for me to wear red and white. NC State has always been my love.”
Leaving behind his teammates at James Madison was hard, but Milinichik has never had any doubts about coming to NC State.
“The scholarship offer was the main reason I went to James Madison originally,” said Milinichik. “Coming back home and being around family has been a great choice for me though. I have no regrets leaving James Madison.”
Since transferring to NC State, it has been a difficult road for Milinichik.
“The first year I had to sit out because of the transfer rule, and the second year I tore my ACL in the spring,” said Milinichik. “I was on the rise and feeling really good when I tore it. This is actually my first year being able to play.”
Tearing his ACL was a blow to Milinichik, but knowing he couldn’t be out there playing the sport he loves was even tougher.
“It was a long eight months rehabilitating,” Milinichik continued. “You feel isolated from the team because you’re injured and watching people practice. Watching the guys play is difficult when you knew you could play. The only thing you can do is just keep working. I know my knee won’t be as good as before, but right now it feels pretty good.”
It takes a unique person to go out on the practice field and give it his all everyday not knowing if he’ll get to play in a game.
“Being a walk-on is tough if you’re not mentally ready for it,” said Milinichik. “Being at James Madison was easy because I had a scholarship and I knew what to expect. You have to work harder than you think you do. Through my three years here, I’ve learned a lot more about myself through the weight room and on the practice field. I don’t think I would have learned the same things at James Madison, being on scholarship. The difference between walk-on and scholarship is it’s a tougher road, but you have to expect that.”
Milinichik gives it his best effort every day at practice, with the goal of getting better as the year progresses.
“I always try to improve my game,” said Milinichik. “If I’m improving my game, it’s easier to improve my teammate’s game as well. If you aren’t going 100 percent, then the other guy doesn’t have to go 100 percent. I go hard every time. If I feel like I’m starting to slack off I tell myself to pick it back up.”
Just recently the hard work paid off. Against Murray State, Milinichik got his first opportunity to play on the field for the Wolfpack.
“It was exciting,” said Milinichik. “I’ve been waiting for this a long time. When you’re working out in the summer and winter conditioning, getting on the field is all you can think about.”
As far as coaches go, Milinichik wouldn’t trade Coach O’Brien for anyone.
“Coach O’Brien is a great coach,” said Milinichik. “His speeches and game day talks are great. I’m used to getting yelled at, but with him it’s just this is what needs to be done. It’s pretty clear-cut, which I respond to better. How he carries himself and what he demands out of the team is what makes him so successful.”
In December, Milinichik will be leaving with a degree from NC State, but he also has plans after college.
“My degree is in sociology and I’m on pace to graduate in December,” said Milinichik. “I’m getting married next June. After that hopefully I’ll be coaching football somewhere, maybe as a graduate assistant. Right now I’m looking at the Naval Academy, so that might be an option. I definitely want to stay in football.”
Milinichik has cherished the opportunity to play football at NC State and represent the school he rooted for his whole life.
“Being a part of the Wolfpack is important to me,” said Milinichik. “I’m representing the school and the city of Raleigh. You’re an ambassador of the school when you’re on the field. It’s important to have good character. You have to set the example, which is the most important aspect of being on the football team.”
The path to NC State may not have started as Milinichik expected, but he wouldn’t trade his experiences for anything. Being able to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing for the Wolfpack is something that he will never forget.
Most NC State football players choose to play for the Wolfpack, but Josh Milinichik was born to don the red and white jersey. His father, Joe Milinichik, played on the offensive line for NC State in the mid-1980s, and onto the NFL for 10 seasons.
“My dad was All-ACC here in 1984, so I had no choice but to wear red and white growing up here in North Carolina,” said Milinichik. “Growing up playing football in middle school and at Apex High School I had a big desire to play here.”
Having a father that played in the NFL can be a huge advantage when it comes to learning the nuances of the game.
“My dad was a big help when it came to football,” said Milinichik. “He would tell me how to use my hands and what to expect on certain plays. He helped when talking about the offensive line blocking schemes. His main focus was teaching me to be aggressive during plays. Watching him on tape you could see he was very aggressive and violent. That’s how he played the game, and that’s how I try to play.”
Milinichik admits that while his dad played football, he was never pressured to play the sport.
“He never really pushed me into football,” Milinichik recalled. “I kind of fell into football, and it became my first love. I got into football in eighth grade, and it just blossomed from there into high school. Growing up watching him play, I started paying more attention when I got to go to the games like Super Bowl XXIX when the Chargers played the 49ers. That was when I started to understand the game. The fundamentals aspect didn’t come until high school.”
While it was Milinichik’s dream to play for the Pack growing up, he couldn’t pass up a free education. He ended up accepting a scholarship to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
“I got a preferred walk-on offer out of high school to NC State, but I decided to take the scholarship to James Madison, which was tough because the colors were purple and gold like East Carolina,” said Milinichik whose upbringing brought a dislike for certain colors.
Eventually Milinichik realized that James Madison wasn’t for him, and decided to come back home.
“About two years in the program, I fell out of it with the coaches and everything,” said Milinichik. “I had a desire to play Division I anyway and not Division I-AA, which is a big difference. I thought if I could play Division I-AA, why can’t I just play Division I. After the falling out with the coaches, I thought I should just come back and see what I can do at NC State, so I walked-on here. It’s always been easy for me to wear red and white. NC State has always been my love.”
Leaving behind his teammates at James Madison was hard, but Milinichik has never had any doubts about coming to NC State.
“The scholarship offer was the main reason I went to James Madison originally,” said Milinichik. “Coming back home and being around family has been a great choice for me though. I have no regrets leaving James Madison.”
Since transferring to NC State, it has been a difficult road for Milinichik.
“The first year I had to sit out because of the transfer rule, and the second year I tore my ACL in the spring,” said Milinichik. “I was on the rise and feeling really good when I tore it. This is actually my first year being able to play.”
Tearing his ACL was a blow to Milinichik, but knowing he couldn’t be out there playing the sport he loves was even tougher.
“It was a long eight months rehabilitating,” Milinichik continued. “You feel isolated from the team because you’re injured and watching people practice. Watching the guys play is difficult when you knew you could play. The only thing you can do is just keep working. I know my knee won’t be as good as before, but right now it feels pretty good.”
It takes a unique person to go out on the practice field and give it his all everyday not knowing if he’ll get to play in a game.
“Being a walk-on is tough if you’re not mentally ready for it,” said Milinichik. “Being at James Madison was easy because I had a scholarship and I knew what to expect. You have to work harder than you think you do. Through my three years here, I’ve learned a lot more about myself through the weight room and on the practice field. I don’t think I would have learned the same things at James Madison, being on scholarship. The difference between walk-on and scholarship is it’s a tougher road, but you have to expect that.”
Milinichik gives it his best effort every day at practice, with the goal of getting better as the year progresses.
“I always try to improve my game,” said Milinichik. “If I’m improving my game, it’s easier to improve my teammate’s game as well. If you aren’t going 100 percent, then the other guy doesn’t have to go 100 percent. I go hard every time. If I feel like I’m starting to slack off I tell myself to pick it back up.”
Just recently the hard work paid off. Against Murray State, Milinichik got his first opportunity to play on the field for the Wolfpack.
“It was exciting,” said Milinichik. “I’ve been waiting for this a long time. When you’re working out in the summer and winter conditioning, getting on the field is all you can think about.”
As far as coaches go, Milinichik wouldn’t trade Coach O’Brien for anyone.
“Coach O’Brien is a great coach,” said Milinichik. “His speeches and game day talks are great. I’m used to getting yelled at, but with him it’s just this is what needs to be done. It’s pretty clear-cut, which I respond to better. How he carries himself and what he demands out of the team is what makes him so successful.”
In December, Milinichik will be leaving with a degree from NC State, but he also has plans after college.
“My degree is in sociology and I’m on pace to graduate in December,” said Milinichik. “I’m getting married next June. After that hopefully I’ll be coaching football somewhere, maybe as a graduate assistant. Right now I’m looking at the Naval Academy, so that might be an option. I definitely want to stay in football.”
Milinichik has cherished the opportunity to play football at NC State and represent the school he rooted for his whole life.
“Being a part of the Wolfpack is important to me,” said Milinichik. “I’m representing the school and the city of Raleigh. You’re an ambassador of the school when you’re on the field. It’s important to have good character. You have to set the example, which is the most important aspect of being on the football team.”
The path to NC State may not have started as Milinichik expected, but he wouldn’t trade his experiences for anything. Being able to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing for the Wolfpack is something that he will never forget.
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