Evin Groves (Chronicle)

[wbtfg]

You really have to like this kid.

MSU football: Evin Groves is Bobcats' music man

By TIM DUMAS, Chronicle Sports Writer

Evin Groves has always been surrounded by a blend of talent. A mix of music and athletics.

The music comes from his father's side; the sports from his mother's side.

Groves is Montana State's starting tailback. You can guess what his hobby is away from the field.

"I produce music, hip hop," he said Wednesday.

Maybe you've heard some of his work.

"I actually made a Bobcat anthem. They played it during our pre-game."

You may have also heard some of his aunt's skill. Lani Groves - sister of Evin's father Steve - sang backup on Stevie Wonder's 1973 No. 1 single "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life."

How about Gail Devers?

Evin's mother Juanita (Sewell) Groves was a track star at Sweetwater High School in National City, Calif., near San Diego. While growing up, Juanita ran against Devers, who became a two-time 100-meter Olympic champion.

Steve Young?

Juanita's brother Clyde Sewell, who also attended Sweetwater High, played football at Brigham Young with the quarterback who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

It has become tradition in the Groves family to attend Sweetwater. And to be around greatness.

For Evin it was on the track at Sweetwater where he competed as a sprinter opposite one of today's top collegiate running backs.

"I had to run against Reggie Bush at almost every meet, so that wasn't fun," Groves said with a laugh.

Bush - now at USC and one of the nation's highest-regarded backs - went to Helix High in nearby La Mesa and ran California's top high school time in the 100-yard dash in 2002.

"I was always in his shadow," Groves said. "I knew he was going to be a great (football) player because he's a great person."

Groves did not play against Bush in football - the schools were in different classifications - but enjoyed a successful high school career before coming to Bozeman.

His jump from the Red Devils to the Bobcats, however, almost didn't happen.

Groves began at Stillwater as a quarterback on the freshman team, leading the squad to the league championship. He became a running back the next year and ran for over 1,000 yards in each of his varsity seasons, sometimes running behind his younger brother and fullback Don.

But in the final game of his junior season - one which the Red Devils needed to win to clinch the conference title - Evin tore an ACL in his knee. Stillwater not only lost the game, but he faced surgery, rehabilitation and the hard fact that some colleges - Colorado State, San Diego State and Idaho State were among his suitors - backed off on their recruiting.

Groves was healthy again for his senior season, running for 1,600 yards. He had the grades and SAT scores to go just about anywhere, but a school department error left him short of the NCAA's qualifying standards to play college football.

According to Groves, the Sweetwater School District had to write letters to the NCAA admitting the error. Meanwhile, he was making plans to attend a junior college when Rob Christoff, one of Montana State's assistant coaches, offered his help.

Christoff walked Groves through process to help him become eligible - just in time: Groves was the final scholarship player to make it to MSU's campus in the fall of 2004, right as school was beginning.

And it was Christoff's efforts that made the difference.

"He showed that he really cared," Groves said. "He was the only one, the only coach to try and figure out why I was not a qualifier (for the NCAA)."

That same kind of support also comes from his parents, who own a construction company, but never get too busy to see Evin in action.

In order to travel comfortably to his games, Steve Groves recently purchased what can only be described as a tour bus. The mobile unit includes a full-size bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and two plasma televisions.

When Steve and Juanita aren't able to take the time to drive, they fly.

"My parents come to every game," Evin said. "It's been that was since T-ball. They'll shut down the job and come up here in a minute. They flew up here a couple times to see a practice."

Evin is now the lone athlete in the family. His brother Don is trying to launch his own fashion line while the eldest of the siblings, Steve Groves II, is a music producer.

It's a talented, supportive family.

"It means the world to me," Evin says of his parents' backing. "Your father's in the stands. I can't let him down."

Those words, most likely, will be music to his ears.

[catsrback76]

What a great story. Nice family and great support. Evin is going to do very well at MSU and will succeed in life under the pressure of success.

May his grooves be heard and felt this weekend in Cheney!

[CelticCat]

I saw his parents at Outback the night after the Sac game. Told em their son is gonna be great for this program.

[grizband]

Groves sounds like a class act, and from what I saw of the game on Saturday, he should be a great talent for you guys (especially if he gets the nuber of carries he had on Saturday). I hope he is able to do great things in Bozeman.

[catsrback76]

Groves sounds like a class act, and from what I saw of the game on Saturday, he should be a great talent for you guys (especially if he gets the nuber of carries he had on Saturday). I hope he is able to do great things in Bozeman.

Man, are you too nice or what? Do you date? Are you F or M?

[grizband]

Groves sounds like a class act, and from what I saw of the game on Saturday, he should be a great talent for you guys (especially if he gets the nuber of carries he had on Saturday). I hope he is able to do great things in Bozeman.

Man, are you too nice or what? Do you date? Are you F or M?

Haha, thanks, but I'm a male. I really only hate the bobcats one week a year (two if we ever met in the playoffs). Other than that, they are a respected rival.