The Many Faces of Cory Summers

October 13, 2006

WEATHERFORD -- Southwestern Oklahoma State University football star Cory Summers has quite a non-conventional routine to get himself motivated before each game.

Summers, a sophomore who graduated from Westmoore High School, does not use the traditional favorites such as loud music or pep talks. Instead the hulking defensive lineman prefers to find a quiet place to transform his facial paint into a menacing scowl or even a scary Halloween-style creature.

The idea of smearing black paint across his mug came after watching his offensive line teammates Jonathan Dobrinski, Matt Wakefield and Austin Ellis do the same. Summers takes his design a few steps further than a small swipe under the eyes. His creation borrows parts from heavy metal performers and noted makeup gurus Gene Simmons and Alice Cooper.

“It’s not designed to scare or intimidate anybody; these are grown men I’m playing against,” Summers said. “It’s just part of what I do and how I make myself ready.”

While Summers may not resemble the blood-spurting, fire-breathing, guitar-playing demons that both Simmons and Cooper made famous, his play on the football field is just as reckless and unpredictable.

"Corey’s motor runs white hot,” said SWOSU head coach Ryan Held. “He is a disruptive force out there. A lot of times he’ll take on one or two blockers which will free up someone else. He may not have big numbers but believe me they know he’s out there.”

So far through six games, Summers leads the team with three quarterback sacks and six tackles behind the line of scrimmage for losses totaling 35 yards. It looks as if he will easily pass the numbers he posted when he started as a true freshman in 2005 finishing with 24 total tackles, seven of which were for losses of 31 yards.

Summers knows his unusual face paint is a target of jest by both his teammates and by his opponents.

“Sometimes they go up to me and say ‘Hey Batman’,” Summers laughed. “People are always wanting me to wear this design or that. I’m not short on ideas.”

Summers next design that he is trying to perfect is what he calls the “Army Scrape.” The same look that many soldiers have when they prepare for battle.

The entire face makeup application takes about 10 minutes and does have its drawbacks, according to Summers.

“It’s very messy. Stains everything you touch,” Summers said. “The worst part is trying to get the helmet clean. Every time my helmet’s twisted or pulled more and more of it is wiped off inside it. Me and the helmet are both pretty messed up afterwards.”