SHS upcoming graduate Markey prepared for next level

STURGIS — Sturgis graduate-to-be Logan Markey has high expectations for himself.

He understands his role for both the academic and sporting community in Sturgis. And while being a standout on the football field comes with talent for Markey, it's his work ethic off the field as well that helps make him the impressive young man he is.

"I have high expectations for myself," Markey said. "I want to be a great man one day, and I feel like having high expectations for yourself at a young age can help set you up for later in life."

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Markey will continue his academic and football careers with Alma College. The Scots were 12-1 this past season, and the long loss was in the Division 3 quarterfinals to SUNY Cortland. The program has also won back-to-back MIAA conference titles, something which hasn't been done on campus in 55 years.

"He's been a weight room warrior for four years as well, he has set huge goals for himself, and he has been able to achieve many of those goals," Stewart said. "He really dedicated himself."

Markey said he plans to study communications while on campus at Alma. He has aspirations of someday becoming a police officer and understands the importance of communications in that profession.

His favorite class is the CTE police program in which he is currently enrolled, which takes place at Centreville High School. It's taught by Chad Spence, retired member of the St. Joseph County sheriff's department.

The leadership portion of the class is the most important to Markey. The class also has them working patrols and making decisions at the Centreville campus to help learn.

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Sturgis football coach Chance Stewart said the community — and the football program — are proud of what Markey has been able to accomplish. Markey logged better than 12.5 tackles for loss this year and was a key member of the offensive line.

"We have team leaders every week, and when you're a team leader, your grade represents what the class does," he said. "Plus, like 90% of police work is communicating, so that's an important part of it as well."

A likable guy, Markey said he sticks to himself at times and has no problems being a quiet one. He likes to lay low; completing his schoolwork is a priority in addition to playing football and working out to get even bigger, strong and faster than he is already.

"If people come along and want to be my friend, I'll be their friend," he said with a smile. "But in my free time I like chilling, playing video games and being with my family."

Like many future high school graduates, Markey said he does have some concerns about the next level. It's not just on the football field, where he knows he will have to fight, but also in the classroom as well.

Getting to the collegiate level, especially as an athlete, can be tough. Markey said he plans to work as hard as he can to avoid failing himself and his expectations.

For the Alma campus, he loves the coaching staff and the weight room. They were both big draws for his eventual decision, something he has been dreaming about for some time now. He said the reality of being able to play at the next level started to cement itself during his sophomore season.

"I thought it was a possibility. But then my junior year went on and I didn't get much attention, but I still believed I could do it," Markey said. "Senior year comes and it's dwindling down, but Alma reached out, and I loved it there. It's a home run for me, really."

Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at watson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as twitter, @BwatsonSJ.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis football standout signs with Alma College