By: Jason Scheer
"Barry Sanders," Treasure said. "He was a quiet guy, like me. He didn't talk a lot but he went out and got it done during the game and that's something that I try to do."
Treasure, now a standout running back at Minnesota state, has let his play on the field do the talking.
During this past season, Treasure ran for 1,201 yards and thirteen touchdowns. He also added another 123 yards catching passes out of the backfield. He helped the Minnesota State Mavericks to their first winning season since 1994, as they compiled a record of 6-5.
Treasure is all about helping the team win. "It feels good to win, you always want to win," he said.
Treasure managed to stand out from his teammates. He was named as a Harlon Hill Semifinalist, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy award.
He also managed to stand out off the field, becoming somewhat of a local celebrity around campus. "People come up to me. They know my name and they say 'hi.' It's a good feeling."
But things weren't always this good. After graduating from Baldwin High School in 2000, Treasure played ball at Nassau Community College. His play on the field set him apart from other players, but his academic life only served to hold him back. He was held out of the 2003-2004 campaign because his grades wouldn't weren't up to par.
He worked his tail off, however, and got his grades up. At the same time, he worked his body just as hard, running the track every morning and lifting weights for three hours a day. He never lost sight of his ultimate goal, to return to the field.
"I just wanted to play," he said. "When they say you can't go out there, it hurts."
He eventually worked his way back onto the field, but this time it was at a small school in Minnesota. Treasure said he was recruited by Division I programs, but he wound up in Maverick territory because of a math-class mishap.
Treasure doesn't have any regrets. Playing at a small school has allowed him to stand out and make a name for himself. However, he believes he would have been just as successful at a Division I school.
His old high school coach, Stephen Carroll, agrees. Carroll, who is still head coach of the Baldwin boy's varsity football team, said the success Treasure has enjoyed at Minnesota shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.
"It didn't surprise me," he said. "He is a division I player."
"He's that good, he's that talented," Carroll added. "If he was at a different college, you'd be reading about him every day and seeing him on ESPN."
Carroll harbors fond memories of Treasure as a Bruin.
"Sean, what was good about him, was anywhere you put him he was the best at his position," Carroll said.
One game in particular sticks out in his mind. The team was trailing 13-0 late in the second half, with time ticking away on the clock. The team turned to Treasure, and he responded with a 76-yard touchdown run and a 72-yarder later in the quarter to clinch the game.
"He was unbelievable," Carroll said.
Now, Treasure speaks to Carroll about his professional aspirations. One day, he might just get the chance to don the green and white helmet.
"He definitely could play," Carroll said. "He has the Sunday speed and the Sunday ability. He could do it."
