Senior fullback Hunter Buczkowski grew up sitting on the 50-yard line at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Oakley Lavallii did the same, watching his brother Saylor carry the football for the Chippewas.

Watching the Chippewas was a Saturday tradition for both, one a hometown kid and the other the running back's brother. In CMU's 45-20 loss to Ball State on Dec. 5, a game that could end up being the final home appearance for the duo, Buczkowski caught his first career touchdown pass.

Immediately, he found Lavallii.

"Well, it took us five years, but one of us finally got a touchdown," Buczkowski recounted telling Lavallii.

Both were destined to be Chippewas, even before they made it official upon signing letters of intent to play for then-coach John Bonamego as part of CMU's 2016 recruiting class. Buczkowski is the latest in a long line of family members to wear the Chippewa uniform, while Lavallii was drawn to the culture from his brother's experience.

Together, the duo has spent the last five seasons grinding for opportunities and now, with both approaching the end of their careers and playing for their second head coach, are contributing in large roles on the Chippewa offense.

"Both those guys, they're great leaders," CMU coach Jim McElwain said. "Those are two guys who really care, and you can tell. They're really invested."

Family ties lead both back to CMU

While Buczkowski was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Lavallii grew up an hour south on US-127 in Lansing. His older brother Saylor, who starred at Mason High School, received three Division I offers and chose the Chippewas, where he worked his way to the starting running back spot in his three years as a player.

"(Saylor) saw something in Central that he loved," Oakley recounted. "The history, culture and legacy of the program."

While Saylor went to Mount Pleasant, Oakley and his family moved south to Boca Raton, Florida. Playing at West Boca Raton High School, he was a three-year varsity player as a fullback and linebacker.

When it came time to choose a post-high school path, an opportunity with the Chippewas arose. With Saylor moving to a role as a student assistant following an injury, it was Oakley's turn to suit up for the Chippewas.

At the same time, Buczkowski was wrapping up a three-year varsity career at Mount Pleasant High School. With numerous family members having already attended CMU in years past, and younger brother Logan to follow suit for the Chippewa baseball team the following year, Hunter chose the Chippewas.

"My grandparents are season ticket holders," Buczkowski said. "I've been sitting on the 50 since I was young and I can remember. Just being around this, and this is my hometown. ... It's really become a part of my life, being a Chippewa."

Coaching change brings 'monumental shift'

The duo split snaps at the fullback position under Bonamego, paving holes in the run game. Then, after a 1-11 season in 2018, Bonamego was let go and in came McElwain, whose spread offense cut the need for a traditional fullback.

Yet, Lavallii and Buczkowski each found roles at tight end. Despite changing positions on the roster, the two agree that their true identity lies at the fullback position.

"They'll say they're fullbacks until the day they die," said sophomore tight end Joel Wilson.

In McElwain's first season, the Chippewas underwent a drastic turnaround, turning one win into eight and an appearance in the Mid-American Conference championship game. Though CMU fell in the title game, both Buczkowski and Lavallii reflected on the positivity that the turnaround brought to the program.

"So much has changed between when coach (McElwain) has taken over and where he's taken the program," Lavallii said. "I got to be part of that monumental shift in the program because you felt that with coach (McElwain)."

While the program shift has left lasting impressions on Buczkowski and Lavallii, they, in turn, have done the same on their teammates and coaches.

"They're just great mentors for me," Wilson said. "Just the best group of guys I could ask for coming into this program. Great group of guys, standouts."

Bound to CMU by family ties, Hunter Buczkowski and Oakley Lavallii play large roles in senior season

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