On Thursday, February 14, 2019, Morrison High School Senior Jacob Schlegel signed a Letter of Intent to play D2 Conference football at Upper Iowa University, in Fayette, IA. The signing was held during homeroom, at approximately 2:35 p.m. in the cafeteria, at 643 Genesee Avenue, Morrison, IL.
Pictured with their son are Christine and Todd Schlegel. The family has begun a collection of UIU team sportswear, with the peacock mascot logo.
Jacob has played football for 11 years, beginning at age “eight, since second grade, in the NIYTF [Northern Illinois Youth Tackle Football] league. He played through fourth grade, ” said his mother.
“He played Junior Tackle football, as a running back and quarterback,” added his father, “from fifth-through-eighth grade.” Likewise, during Morrison High School football, he most often held the position of running back during Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years; sometimes he was the quarterback. As a Senior, in 2018 Jacob most often was the Mustang quarterback, but also played running back.
His parents noted other MHS sports that held their son’s interest: basketball; baseball (as catcher); track events (4×2 and 4×1 relays and 100- and 200-meter dashes.)
Family members, current and past coaches, and many of his classmates shared Jacob’s achievement.
Photographed left-to-right in back are grandmother Linda Schlegel; Jacob’s twin sister Lauren; grandfather Jerry Schlegel of Morrison. Older sister Madison, 22, was unable to attend due to work. She is a student at Black Hawk College, with plans to transfer to Western Illinois University. Maternal grandparents, Keith and Barbara Leech of Morrison, were in Hawaii on the day.
Activities Director Gregg Dolan addressed the students at the gathering. He acknowledged Schlegel’s athletic prowess and noted a probable third Letter of Intent signing in the future. However, Dolan stressed, “For a college to commit to you, you have to be a student.” This offer by Upper Iowa University benefits Jacob “financially and educationally,” he stressed.
Photographed standing left-to-right are previous Varsity Football Coach Cory Bielema and 2018 Varsity Football Coach Ryan Oetting.
At the end of his Junior year, Schlegel became proactive in helping colleges take notice of his achievements. “During my Senior year in football, I knew colleges were paying attention” to him. He submitted information to “a website where colleges could search for” him. “I had multiple videos out there.”
It worked off. In November 2018, a recruiter from UIU made a home visit and proposed an offer the young man could not refuse. He suggested Jacob enter a five-year educational program, which will conclude with a Master’s degree. “I will be red-shirted (out of play) my first year.” However, he could be allowed to play, if there is a critical need for his considerable skill set. He will begin to train and practice with the team this fall.
During his Sophomore year, Schlegel will begin play for Peacocks, rather than Mustangs, at Harms-Eischeid Stadium, rather than at E. M. “Bud” Cole Field. At the end of his college football career, he will leave Fayette, IA, with 15 years of gridiron experience and a Master’s Degree in Business.
“Feather’s up,” Jacob!
