A Higher Level: SNC Pros
Joey Kobs
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Sports
SNC student athletes have competed in the Midwest Conference since 1983 and in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association since 1994. Of the 20 percent of the campus that participates in the 20 sports for both men and women, the number of professional athletes from the school over the years is extremely low. This fact shows the athletic prowess, statistics and caliber of play needed to make the next level. Luck could be a factor, but for most, it was their play and commitment to the sport that got them to a higher level.
One former student athlete that played at a higher level was quarterback Cody Craig. A graduate of 2008, Craig was the 2007 MWC Offensive Player of the Year with numerous MWC records and a top-20 caliber quarterback in the Division III program. His first venture was with the Indoor Football League's River City Rage and eventually made his way to the Continental Indoor Football League's Milwaukee Bonecrushers. According to Craig, one of his favorite parts of playing arena football was playing in venues with rambunctious fans that are nearly on the field themselves.
"It was definitely different from playing at Minahan," he said. "About 40 game balls get thrown in the stands, and players are flying over the walls on a consistent basis."
Another factor of going pro, as seen with the recent contracts being signed on ESPN, would be a fairly obvious one-each player gets paid. But with recent economic struggles and closures, the higher level Arena Football League and NFL Europe have been lost.
"Getting paid to play a sport had always been a dream of mine growing up, so it was pretty cool in that regard," said Craig. "The one tough thing about football, contrast to other sports, is that there isn't a 'minor league' level to work your way up the ladder while making a living out of it."
Another Green Knight that has played professionally and is currently signed at the next level is Robert Forstrom. Forstrom, a kicker, punter and wide receiver for the Green Knights football team, was a first-team Division III All-American as a placekicker in 2006. He also was selected to play for the American Football Coaches Association's Division III all-star team that represented the United States against the Mexican National Team in the 2006 Aztec Bowl. Soon after college, he signed with the Green Bay Blizzard, an Arena II (AF2) football team.
One former student athlete that played at a higher level was quarterback Cody Craig. A graduate of 2008, Craig was the 2007 MWC Offensive Player of the Year with numerous MWC records and a top-20 caliber quarterback in the Division III program. His first venture was with the Indoor Football League's River City Rage and eventually made his way to the Continental Indoor Football League's Milwaukee Bonecrushers. According to Craig, one of his favorite parts of playing arena football was playing in venues with rambunctious fans that are nearly on the field themselves.
"It was definitely different from playing at Minahan," he said. "About 40 game balls get thrown in the stands, and players are flying over the walls on a consistent basis."
Another factor of going pro, as seen with the recent contracts being signed on ESPN, would be a fairly obvious one-each player gets paid. But with recent economic struggles and closures, the higher level Arena Football League and NFL Europe have been lost.
"Getting paid to play a sport had always been a dream of mine growing up, so it was pretty cool in that regard," said Craig. "The one tough thing about football, contrast to other sports, is that there isn't a 'minor league' level to work your way up the ladder while making a living out of it."
Another Green Knight that has played professionally and is currently signed at the next level is Robert Forstrom. Forstrom, a kicker, punter and wide receiver for the Green Knights football team, was a first-team Division III All-American as a placekicker in 2006. He also was selected to play for the American Football Coaches Association's Division III all-star team that represented the United States against the Mexican National Team in the 2006 Aztec Bowl. Soon after college, he signed with the Green Bay Blizzard, an Arena II (AF2) football team.
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