It was late at night, around 11 or so, when Anthony Mason Sr. stepped outside. Senior forced himself to walk out into the darkness, calling for his son.

The father hated to do it, but he had to call him to bed. Otherwise the youngster

would stay out all night. The six-year-old had lost track of time. Even the lack of light couldn’t break him away, as his only focus was on training.

“He was in full gear, training,” the father said. “He played on the junior football team, but they didn’t play him at all.”

In fact, only one position was open for the young boy — the bench.

Heartbroken at his son’s lack of playing time, Senior began to train him. But the father had no intention that young Anthony Mason Jr. would train to such an extent.

Determined to be part of the action on the field, Junior would train into the blackness of the night on many occasions in his small town of 711 people.

Mason grew up just east of Kankakee in Hopkins Park, Ill. According to the United States’ 2000 Census, of the 711 residents in the village, eight have bachelor’s degrees; four have graduate degrees or better.

Poverty engulfs the community, as the average household income is $17,778 per year. Over one-third of the households in the town bring in less than $10,000 per year.

Determined to raise himself from the situation surrounding him, Junior dedicated every waking moment to training. But the defensive back didn’t limit himself to just athletics. He also trained his mind.

Lorai Harris, Junior’s mother, first noticed her son’s academic drive before he could even multiply.

“I noticed it first when he was in second grade. His teacher was going to buy a bike for whoever did best in class,” she said. “He won the bike.”

But Junior wasn’t about to brag about his success. He humbly strived to pass his old academic and athletic boundaries.

That drive continues today.

As a freshman at Valparaiso, Junior felt unsatisfied. All that training, time, and energy only to know that he could do better.

“He told me ‘I just know I could play at D-IA level’,” Senior said. “He started running hills, training with chains and tires around his waist. He went into training mode.”

Dedicated to his goal, the defensive back returned to Illinois as a Huskie the next fall.

Now, in his first season on the field — due to NCAA transfer regulations — all the redshirt sophomore needed to do was pick a jersey. His selection: No. 1.

“I know one is Garrett Wolfe’s number but it really doesn’t matter,” Mason said. “I could have had 22, 23, it doesn’t matter. Give me any number and I’ll go out and there and play.”

Still driven to improve on the field, Junior continues to push himself in the classroom. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, the football player is aiming to add one more college graduate from Hopkins Park.

Eventually he aims to be an athletic director, just like NIU athletic director Jim Phillips.

And Senior is sure that his son will achieve is dream.

“Mr. Phillips inspired him,” Junior’s father said. “I don’t know a kid that will work harder than him. I’m not just saying that because he’s my kid. He inspires me.”

Fading into the darkness that grips Hopkins Park would have been expected.

But Senior found Junior in the night.

Senior found him training, he found him striving. He found him leaving the darkness.