Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Fifth-year senior Matt Scheffler leads by example
11/19/2002 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 19, 2002
By Abby Gonzales
SIU Media Services
 DT Matt Scheffler  | |
A native of Springfield, Ill., Scheffler came to SIU as an All-Central Elite Eight pick his junior and senior years at Springfield High School. He was also named to the academic all-state team in high school. Scheffler was a three-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball and baseball, before deciding he wanted to play football at the collegiate level.
| "Matt is a very intelligent guy...he defines what you want in a student-athlete, and what we, as coaches, look for in our athletes. I'm proud of him.? DL Coach Anthony Randle |
He redshirted as a freshman in 1998 and played in 10 games in 1999 and six games in 2000.
The 2001 campaign was marked a breakthrough for Scheffler as he started all 11 games at defensive tackle for the Salukis. Perhaps his most memorable play was a 40-yard fumble return against Murray State for his first collegiate touchdown.
The 6-5, 255-pound defensive tackle has played several positions in his SIU career. He began at defensive end, then switched to offensive line for half of a season before settling into his current position.
?I think I've played under eight different coaches in all the positions,? said Scheffler.
 Scheffler recorded 10 tackles this season | |
Under second-year head coach Jerry Kill, the Salukis have already won three more games than last year's 1-10 club. The turnaround wouldn't be possible without the commitment of the upperclassmen, Scheffler said.
?It's been real positive,? said Scheffler. ?It's great to know you were a small part of helping to turn this program around. I hope there's more to come.?
With all the changes, one thing has been constant--the support from his fellow fifth-year teammates.
?It's been kind of hard [the coaching staff change], but you go through it, and you buy into what the coaches say,? explained defensive back Chris McCullough. ?You have to trust them and buy into what they think will make us and this program better. Scheff has been very loyal to SIU football. We depend on him to get the job done, and he does it consistently. He's a team leader, and he leads by example. When the younger guys get down, or who be it, he motivates them and gets them to step up and play up to their potential.?
Scheffler has a reputation as a hard worker at practice, an approach that rubs off on his younger teammates.
?Scheff knows everyone and has been through it all,? said Saluki tight end Ryan McAllister. ?He's someone younger players look up to.?
One of the breakthroughs for many athletes who have been in this program for five years was the 54-52 victory over Western Illinois earlier this season, as the Salukis broke an 18-year losing streak against the Leathernecks. It was a special moment for those who have worked so hard to help build the Saluki football program into what it is today.
?That was probably the best collegiate game I've ever been a part of,? Scheffler said. ?The offense did a heck of a job that game.?
 Scheffler has played on both sides of the line in his career at SIU | |
That bond has helped the fifth-year seniors create an atmosphere suitable for success.
?This year, as a team, we have a positive attitude,? said Scheffler. ?The coaches help us to finish every play in practice. They are really energetic. It's been a lot of fun this year. It's been a pleasure to play here. And the way I see it, the success will only continue for SIU football, especially since there are a lot of young guys on the team. We have a lot of young, good, talented athletes who are only going to get better as time goes on.?
Although Scheffler appears to be a happy-go-lucky guy, he knows when to be serious. Scheffler has taken his role on the team as a role model seriously and tries to help the younger athletes as much as he can.
?Matt is a leader and a role model,? said defensive line coach
 Scheffler leads by example | |
After last season, Randle asked Scheffler to work hard in the weight room during the summer, and in turn he packed on 25 pounds. ?He knew what he needed to do, and he did it. No questions asked,? said Randle.
?I try to lead by example,? Scheffler said. ?We have a lot of young guys on the team, and I try to do the right things on the field.?
Scheffler not only does the right things on the field, he does the right things off the field as well. He graduated in the spring with honors, earning his degree in civil engineering. He is now pursuing his Master's in business management and is on track to graduate in the summer.
Although he makes the balance between academics and athletics look easy, he had to work hard to earn the grades he did.
?It's been tough to balance schoolwork and athletics, but it's something you have to do if you want to excel in the classroom as well as on the field,? said Scheffler. ?You go to class, and you don't let things fall behind. You have to stay on top of things. It's about time management. It's about responsibilities and how you decide you're going to manage your time.?
?Matt is a very intelligent guy,? said Randle. ?I tell the guys, your goal here is to get your degree, and he's done that. He defines what you want in a student-athlete, and what we, as coaches, look for in our athletes. I'm proud of him.?
