Thomas Walsh never got to see his son strap on a pair of shoulder pads or buckle a chin strap. Walsh, a former standout football player at Villanova University, would have really enjoyed that day.

Unfortunately, Michael Walsh couldn't play organized football until the fifth grade because he was always too heavy for the local Pop Warner League in Newtown, Pa. By the time 10-year-old Michael finally suited up for the Lower Makefield Football Association, his father had been dead for almost a year.

"One of my biggest disappointments is that my father never got to see me play football," Walsh said.

How happy Thomas Walsh would have been when his son was named first team All-Colonial Valley Conference as a dominating defensive end for Notre Dame High. What pride the old man would have felt upon learning his son had been accepted to the United States Naval Academy. Not to mention the satisfaction he would have felt after watching Michael became a starting defensive end for the Midshipmen.

"It's tough sometimes. I would love for my father to see me now, to see how far I've come," Michael Walsh said. "I know that, in a way, he does see me. I know he's watching me, guiding me. I just wish I could see the joy on his face after a big win."

Given an opportunity to choose his jersey number as a senior, Walsh has switched his uniform number from 38 to 78 this season in order to pay homage to his late father. Thomas Walsh wore No. 78 at Villanova, where he was a three-year starter at left tackle from 1975-77.

The elder Walsh, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound product of West Lawn, Pa., was an All-East selection and served as team captain as a senior. He died in 1996 at the age of 40 following a seven-year bout with Leukemia.

"I just felt it was important to play my senior season for my father, out of respect for him. Every time I put on that jersey it will be a reminder of him," Michael Walsh said.

Wearing No. 78 will hold special meaning for Walsh when he walks onto the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Aug. 16 for the preseason Blue-Gold scrimmage. That will be the 12th anniversary of his father's death.

"Mike has never forgotten his father. When Tom died, Mike got his Villanova football ring and wore it proudly. A picture of Tom from his playing days still hangs in Mike's bedroom," Susan said. "Mike has always wanted to wear his dad's number and I'm happy that he's finally getting that chance."

When Tom Walsh was in the hospital, former teammates from Villanova brought some old game films to watch. Those delighted the elder Walsh, who underwent three bone marrow transplants in an effort to beat the disease known as chronic myelogenous leukemia or CML.

Mike Walsh has watched those 1970s-era films many times and keeps his father's Villanova jersey on a hangar in the closet. One of his most cherished pieces of memorabilia is a football signed by former Oakland Raiders great Howie Long, who was a freshman at Villanova when Tom Walsh was a senior.

"When Mike was a little boy, he had a special relationship with his dad and football was a big part of that," Susan said. "We had season tickets to Villanova football and Mike loved going to the games with his dad. On Sundays, they used to sit together in the living room and watch pro football."

Walsh is fortunate because his mother remarried and brought a new father figure into his life. David Long has joined Susan as the biggest supporter of the youngster's endeavors, both academic and athletic.

"I don't even think of him as my stepfather. I just call him Dad. He filled the void right away. He's a good man," said Walsh, who is also extremely close with his 10-year-old brother Joey.

Walsh didn't need to negotiate much to get the number 78 since it was worn last season by his roommate - fellow defensive end Richard Marshall. Upon learning the reason behind the request, Marshall was more than willing to give Walsh that jersey.

It turns out Walsh would rather wear No. 48 in honor of his older brother and former Navy linebacker Brian Stann. John Marshall carried 48 as a football player at Mesa State in Colorado. That was also the number worn by Stann, who would become a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Marshall served four years in the Marine Corps and earned the rank of sergeant. Stann was the platoon leader of his battalion, which saw heavy fighting in Iraq. In fact, Marshall was only a few miles away when Stann and his 2nd Mobile Assault Platoon were ambushed by Iraqi insurgents while trying to secure a bridge near Karabilah. Stann and his men held out for six days under heavy attacks before being rescued. The former Navy middle linebacker was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest award for valor in combat.

"Brian made a big impact on my life. He was a huge inspiration and a major reason why I came to the academy," Marshall said. "Brian is a maniac, but he's one heck of a man and a definite hero. He was an awesome officer, the type I aspire to be like."

As a result, Navy has two defensive linemen who will wear numbers with special meaning this season.

"It worked out perfectly. I was more than willing to give my number to Mike and it worked out great that I was able to get a number that means a lot to me," Marshall said. "If there were two people I would look up to in this world and want to represent out on the field it would be my brother and Brian Stann."