By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The pain in his back began developing in late July and increased right before the start of training camp for the Bridgewater State University football team.

Joey Naso (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), a junior kicker for the Bears, was wondering if he would be able to take part in the 2024 season due to the severity of the ailment.

There were countless appointments with doctors and chiropractors and physical therapists plus imaging tests and cortisone injections.

And there was plenty of time spent by Naso with the BSU training staff to work on the ailing back.

"It kind of just came out of nowhere," said Naso of the injury. "I didn't think anything of it (in late July), and then as it got closer to camp, I was having serious lower back pain and then it all transferred to the lower right side where every movement hurts."

With the season winding down, the pain remains for Naso, but he has found a way to make a contribution to the Bears.

Naso became the program's all-time leader in conversion kicks with his 94th point-after touchdown (PAT) in last Saturday's 17-9 win over Fitchburg State University at Mazzaferro Field.

Naso broke the record of 93 that was set by BSU Athletics Hall of Famer Ripp Charters, who was also the quarterback from 1987-90.

In eight games, Naso has gone 20-for-20 on conversion kicks after making 40 of 42 in 2023 and 34 of 37 in 2022.

Naso currently holds the Bears' record for conversion percentage (.949, 94-for-99).

It has been a bumpy season as Naso manages the back issue, but he has fought through it and is in the school record book.

"It's an absolute honor," said Naso of breaking Charters' record. "I was able to hear from him after the game (via a congratulatory phone call). It was such an honor."

BSU has two games remaining, traveling to Vermont State Castleton for a first-ever meeting with the Spartans Saturday at noon, then hosting the 45th annual Cranberry Bowl against Mass. Maritime Academy next weekend.

For Naso, it'll be more of the same, working on his back all week, then lining up for conversion kicks in the games.

The theory is there is a tear in the back that is pressing on a nerve, causing the constant pain. The injections help ease that pain, but not all the time.

"We've got two games left and I'm focused on that," said Naso. "I'm going 100 percent every time I step on the field.

"The biggest goal right now is to get healthy (after the season), possibly with surgery. Whatever needs to happen, I'll get back on that field and kick field goals and extra points and be healthy and keep kicking.

"I would say everything has paid off this season. I'm not done yet, but getting this record while going through everything, it has meant getting every injection, going to the chiropractor, spending every day in the trainer's room, working with coaches, it's paid off."

Naso attempted four field goals in the opening three weeks, but graduate student Shane Drake (Franklin, Mass.) is handling that assignment, going 4-for-5.

"There was just too much stress on the back kicking field goals, and it made the back worse," said Naso.

A soccer player at John Jay High in New York near the Connecticut border, Naso switched to kicking in football as a junior in 2020.

There were only a few games that season due to COVID, and Naso got a first real taste of football in 2021.

"I switched over and I never looked back," said Naso. "The atmosphere, being able to put the pads on game day, the crowd, all eyes were on me that moment, that's what I liked about football.

"There was something about Friday Night Lights that gave me that adrenaline."

Naso looked into soccer and football at BSU and decided to make a recruiting visit for football during his senior year of high school.

"I scheduled a visit and I loved the campus from the minute I stepped on campus," said Naso. "It just felt like home.

"It was a recruit day when I came and there were 20-30 guys here. After my visit, I stayed after and talked with coach (Joe Verria) and my dad. That's what really sent it home to me. I loved the campus, what the program was about. Right then, that was when my decision was pretty much made."

Naso still plays soccer, either intramural games or back home in New York with friends.

"Every day, pretty much, I miss it," he said. "It's not a decision I regret making, but it's definitely something I miss.

"This has been probably the greatest decision I've made, switching to football"

Naso has worked closely in New York with kicking coach Tommy Woodburn, an All-America kicker at Utica.

"He's been helping me out every step of the way," said Naso.

Those steps have led Naso into the BSU football record book, even if he has dealt with adversity throughout this season.

"It got to the point where I had to pull myself out of practice," said Naso. "I'll take time through the week to rest up and kick on Saturdays."