Tumilty brothers to unite again at Augustana

Sam and Scott Tumilty have been roommates at home for about 18 years, so a few more won't hurt.

The Willowbrook graduates will continue a family tradition by heading to Augustana College next school year to play football and baseball. The brothers played varsity football, basketball and baseball together for the Warriors for two years until Scott, a year older, moved on to the University of St. Francis.

After a biceps injury forced Scott to medically redshirt last fall, he decided to transfer to Augustana. That made Sam's college decision pretty easy.

"It was always in the back of my mind to play with him again," Sam said. "We wanted to have that opportunity again."

Sam and Scott's parents - Scott and Katie - were both student-athletes at Augustana and took the brothers to Vikings football games as children. Sam estimates he's visited the Rock Island campus eight to 10 times.

While Sam had opportunities at various college levels to play any of his three sports, Augustana made the most sense. The 2019 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Football Captain will play quarterback at Augustana, his preferred position after throwing for 2,525 yards and rushing for 1,551 yards as a senior.

Like Sam, Scott is extremely versatile on the football field. Receiver is his more natural position, but Scott's also comfortable at defensive back. It'll all get sorted out when the Vikings open camp - hopefully - on Aug. 11.

"There were some great schools that I talked to, but Augustana fit a lot of categories for me academically and athletically," Sam said. "The process was good in helping me narrow down the list."

Combined the brothers played 18 varsity seasons at Willowbrook. Playing two sports at Augustana might seem like a vacation, but Sam knows a challenge lies ahead.

"I know it's going to be a bigger workload with two sports, but the coaches are understanding about it," Sam said. "We're really looking forward to it."

Twitter: @kevin_schmit