Baska's athletic ability rare for the punter position

One of Air Force’s new starters has a 39-inch vertical, runs the 40-yard dash in about 4.4 seconds and holds his own in the weight room.

In the offseason, coaches get a bit frustrated because he’ll sneak in practice with the Falcons’ men’s basketball players, the volleyball team and the baseball team. When he goofs around and throws the ball at football practice, every pitch is a hard, tight spiral.

“He’s probably a top-five athlete on the team,” Air Force strength and conditioning coach Matt McGettigan said.

Yes, he’s talking about Air Force’s new punter.

David Baska is an anomaly. Most punters can’t accurately state they’re among the fastest players on the team. And most punters aren’t taken seriously as athletes in their locker room. Yet, ask Air Force’s football players who is the best basketball player among them, and Baska’s name will be brought up every time. And when Baska says he has thought about trying out for the baseball team – he’s a pitcher and shortstop – he means it.  

Knee injuries have held Baska’s athletic career back a bit. He has had four surgeries on his left knee. He had two anterior cruciate ligament surgeries, and two other surgeries to repair his meniscus and cartilage. His first ACL surgery was in sixth grade. He credits McGettigan for helping him build strength in his leg, which also allows him to recover after workouts.

The Falcons don’t need Baska to leap 39 inches, assuming long snapper Colton Reid is doing his job, they just need him to punt well.

“I get yelled at all the time by coach (Troy) Calhoun for asking to play scout team wide receiver,” Baska said. “But everyone has to know their role on the team, and mine is punter.”

The issue with Baska’s punting is common for inexperienced players: inconsistency. He has had some good days in camp, and admits there have been some rough days. The coaches can’t be absolutely sure how Baska will perform in games, although Calhoun praised him for becoming more mature.

“He realizes what’s most meaningful is to earn respect, to do something on and off the field at a high level,” Calhoun said.

Baska’s first punt this season will be his first at the college level. Last year as a freshman, Baska kicked with the junior varsity. He has been playing sports all his life, so he says he is excited and not nervous for the season opener against South Dakota.

“I think about it all the time,” Baska said. “That’s just mental preparation. I’m looking forward to it, definitely. But if we only punt once or twice a game, I’m not going to be upset because that probably means we’re getting ‘Ws.’”