Take a long look at Logan Mont’s college career and the takeaway is clear — do not give up.
The West Aurora graduate didn’t and is reaping the rewards.
A wide receiver in his fifth year at Central Iowa, Mont is looking to close out his career with a third straight strong season.
In mid-July, he learned that he’s one of 178 finalists from NAIA through the FCS levels nominated for the eventual 22-player Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works team.
“I like to give back, and that’s what it’s about,” Mont said of the AFCA honor.
His volunteer work on campus and in the community through the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council has been highlighted by a registry drive for The National Marrow Donor Program.
“Helping to put on those events has been a good time,” Mont said.
On the field, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound slot receiver has bounced back from a nightmarish first two years that could have left him singing an age-old blues refrain.
If it wasn’t for bad luck, Mont couldn’t have been blamed for wondering if he had any luck at all.
What he thought would be an adventure at his mother Rhonda’s alma mater, where she was an all-conference point guard in basketball and setter in volleyball, didn’t start as anticipated.
“When I was looking for a school, I wanted to find my home for the next four years,” Logan said “Turns out it’s five years but from my first time here at a game day, with the great atmosphere and people, it felt right. It just didn’t happen overnight.”
Not on the field, anyway.
As a freshman in the 2020–21 school year, his season was pushed back to spring and limited to just two games. He did, however, catch 17 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Blaine Hawkins took advantage of the extra season granted by the NCAA and made the most of it in 2021. Hawkins and Mont got off to a glorious start, hooking up for TD passes that covered 11 and 56 yards in the first quarter of a 46-27 win in the opener at St. Olaf.
All went well until late in the third quarter.
“I was running a corner route on third-and-long, went up and caught it but came down awkwardly,” Mont said. “My left foot was twisted. My weight and the weight of the defender landed on me and dislocated it.
“Part of life, part of the game.”
West Aurora’s Logan Mont cradles in a pass on a play that went for a 70-yard touchdown during a game on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. (Jon Cunningham / The Beacon-News)
All the metatarsal bones were dislocated, and he had multiple fractures to the Lisfranc joint complex that helps stabilize the middle of the foot.
He had two surgeries, one using metal to realign and stabilize the bones and a second to remove the hardware after healing.
“Our trainer and doctor hadn’t seen anything like it and weren’t sure how long it would take to recover,” Mont said.
Amazingly, he was back for spring practice after being sidelined for the season and left wondering what might have been in a remarkable season for the Dutch.
The school is located 40 miles southeast of Des Moines in Pella, a town of just under 11,000 which was founded by immigrants from the Netherlands, hence the nickname.
Mont finished that game with 14 catches for 170 yards and those two TDs.
Hawkins, who passed for 4,475 yards and a NCAA-record 63 TDs, led the team to an undefeated regular season and playoff run that ended against Wisconsin Whitewater in the quarterfinals.
Aurora University fans may recall quarterback Gavin Zimbelman was one of the finalists Hawkins beat out to win the Gagliardi Trophy, the NCAA Division III version of the Heisman Trophy.
“It was tough but still a great year to watch,” Mont said. “I was fortunate to contribute some.”
Mont came back in 2022 with 69 catches for 754 yards and five TDs. Last season, he had 49 catches for 515 yards and three TDs. The Dutch went 7-3 and 8-2, respectively, but missed the playoffs.
He’s also scheduled to graduate in December with a double major in business management and accounting before continuing work to become a certified public accountant.
One final season, though, remains.
“I’m really excited,” Mont said. “We’re fortunate to bring back almost everybody, and I think it’s going to be a really good year.”
He’s definitely earned that.
