Column: Colorado State recruit Andrew Laurich turns into The Barber of Yorkville’s Foxes. Even his dad is a client. ‘If I can ever get an appointment.’

Artistry.

That creative skill we admire is not limited to the work produced in the studio of a talented painter or sculptor.

Hardly.

We can find and appreciate artistry of many kinds in many places, even in football.

Yorkville’s Andrew Laurich is one such artist, but his talents extend beyond the field.

The work that Laurich, a 6-foot-4, 258-pound defensive end, does for the Foxes has been well documented.

The Colorado State recruit spends plenty of time in the opponent’s backfield, with his 49 tackles including 27 for loss. Those include 7 1/2 sacks. He also has 16 quarterback hurries and four passes batted down.

Laurich is a big reason for the buzz surrounding Campbell Field as Yorkville (10-1) has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 7A playoffs. The Foxes play at 1 p.m. Saturday at Batavia (8-3).

Walking down the stairs to the basement of Laurich’s family home on Tuesday’s election night, I was greeted by a different kind of buzz. It allowed me to bear witness to another of this young man’s talents.

The hum came from the electric clippers Laurich gently wielded as he finished up trimming the hair of teammate Isaiah Brown in the one-chair shop Laurich has set up at home.

“Built the table myself,” Laurich said.

Pointing to the mirror-and-shelf unit atop the table, he said, “Picked it up for $5 at Goodwill.”

Meanwhile, Brown was leaving as a satisfied customer.

“I wanna look fresh for that game on Saturday,” Brown said. “He’s been cutting my hair for about four months and does about half the guys on our team.”

Was Brown’s mom cool with it the first time he went to his teammate for a cut?

“She was like, ‘He better not mess up your hair,’” Brown said. “I told her, ‘Don’t worry, he’s got it.’ I came back and she loved it.”

So how did Laurich become The Barber of Yorkville’s Foxes?

Laurich simply began hanging out at the local barbershop, a short bike ride from his home, where he and his older brother got their hair cut.

“I was always there,” Laurich said. “In middle school, probably at 13, wanted a job and started by sweeping the floor and cleaning up.”

He became fast friends with the young owner, Nick Maldonado, who was in his early 20s.

That friendship continues today with Maldonado, who has since moved his shop — Nitty Gritty Barber Shop and Gym — to downtown Oswego.

“I just enjoyed the vibe of being in there and listening to the stories of the people,” Laurich said. “I heard some crazy things from the old heads. Hanging around, I learned a bunch of stuff, especially what not to do.”

And then, he convinced Maldonado to help teach him the trade.

“I love telling that story, about how I couldn’t get rid of him,” Maldonado said. “Now, he’s got a full-ride scholarship.”

Laurich said Maldonado taught him how to be respectful and talk to people while also learning the basics of running a business.

It continues with his home shop, building quite the clientele, by word-of-mouth.

“It keeps him busy,” said Laurich’s dad, Marty. “He’s either here or the gym working out. It’s just amazing how it all came together. He kept getting better and better. They’ve got to trust you.”

Even his dad is a client.

“If I can ever get an appointment,” Marty said. “I’m at the bottom of the list.”

It has been fun to watch, according to Laurich’s mom, Julie.

“I think the thing Andrew loves the most is the talking with the guys,” she said. “It’s just nonstop. You have to come through the whole house to get to the basement, so we get to meet these kids.

“We’re gonna miss it next year. It’s going to be quiet around here.”