By Adam Zuvanich | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Darrell Stuckey grew up without a prominent father figure in his life, someone who could teach him about right and wrong, hard work and the value of an education.

He had to learn those lessons on his own, and that’s why his mission is to make sure others don’t.

Stuckey, a junior strong safety at Kansas, realizes how lucky he is to have emerged from a single-parent household and somewhat of a rough neighborhood in Kansas City, Kan. And now that he’s become a successful college student and standout football player, he recognizes his responsibility as a role model.

Stuckey said he regularly speaks to youth groups in and around the Kansas community, offering his time, insight and moral support. More than anything, he attempts to be the father figure he wasn’t fortunate enough to have.

“Growing up, I really didn’t have all the proper role models in my life,” Stuckey said. “So as a leader in the community, someone who’s known in the community, I feel like I have a lot to offer.

“The youth around me, they see the sports side of it. But they don’t see the education needed to get there and be able to stay there.”

Stuckey’s selfless efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. He was named Tuesday to the Big 12 Conference’s 2008 Fall Community of Champions, which recognizes one student-athlete from each Big 12 school for academic achievement, leadership and community service.

Stuckey, who has a grade-point average above 3.0 as a communication studies major, also has made quite an impact on the field. He ranks second among Jayhawks with 49 tackles this season, and he’s tied for the team lead with two interceptions.

Kansas coach Mark Mangino said Stuckey is “emerging as a leader on the defensive unit,” and that he’s been one of the team’s most consistent players all season.

“His biggest attribute is that he plays hard every single play,” Mangino said. “He gives his very, very best every snap that he’s out on the field, whether he’s in coverage, whether he’s in run support, whether he’s on special teams.

“That’s his strong suit. It’s effort. If you have 11 Darrell Stuckeys, you always have a chance to win.”

While the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Stuckey has plenty of athletic ability – he also was a high school standout in baseball, basketball and track and field – his mental approach might set him apart.

Stuckey utilizes mental-visualization techniques before every game, something he’s done since high school.

“It’s almost like positive self-talk. You mentally visualize doing everything right,” he said. “If the offense does this, your reaction should be this, this and this. It’s just a way of playing the game out in your head before the game actually happens.”

Stuckey and his fellow defensive backs will have plenty to think about before Saturday’s game against No. 8 Texas Tech in Lawrence, Kan. The undefeated Red Raiders average 557 total yards and more than 45 points per game, and they lead the nation in passing offense.

“They have a top-10 team and a great offense,” Stuckey said, “so it’s a great challenge for our defense to come out and show who we really are.”