02-04-2005, 11:50 AM
Brodhead's Skatrud Chooses Huskies
By Matthew Hager
Daily News staff writer
BRODHEAD - With the signing of a piece of paper and the donning of a black Northern Illinois University baseball cap, Kevin Skatrud made official what was common knowledge since last June.
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound senior signed a national letter of intent to play football for the Huskies Wednesday in front of parents, coaches and several students at Brodhead High School.
Despite knowing that he was going to join the Huskies months in advance, his emotions were running high.
"It feels great," Skatrud said. "I keep getting more and more excited about it."
The multi-sport athlete's parents, Jeff and Lynn Skatrud, sat with Kevin as he signed the letter just a day after another important life milestone.
"It was like a right of passage," Lynn Skatrud said. "He just turned 18 yesterday and today he signs his letter."
Kevin will join his older brother Josh as a collegiate athlete. Josh is in his third year at UW-Parkside and plays on the basketball team.
"It's too much to ask," Jeff Skatrud said. "We're just just so grateful that the boys get the chance to realize their dreams. It's a great honor."
The Skatruds moved to Brodhead in 1990 and quickly got into Cardinal athletics. Jeff Skatrud said he and his sons started going to Brodhead games as soon as they moved to the town.
Kevin was a 2004 Beloit Daily News All-Area football selection on both the offensive and defensive line. He said he plans on redshirting his first year and then playing as an offensive tackle with the Huskies.
Early in the recruiting process, Kevin narrowed his choices to Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. When the Badgers failed to offer him a scholarship after summer camps, he made the decision to go to NIU.
"I liked the coaching staff," Kevin Skatrud said. "It was close to home, and they have a good football program."
NIU SIGNS 24: Coming off its first bowl win in 21 years, NIU went to work shaping its future Wednesday by signing 24 recruits.
The Huskies, who beat Troy in the Silicon Valley Classic, are 19-5 over the last two seasons under coach Joe Novak.
''With six offensive linemen and six defensive backs, we met some critical needs. There were 22 seniors sitting at that banquet table the other day. So we had some open scholarships,'' said Novak.
Theclass includes 14 in-state players, including 12 from the Chicago area. It is also evenly divided with 12 defensive players, 11 on offense and one on special teams.
By Matthew Hager
Daily News staff writer
BRODHEAD - With the signing of a piece of paper and the donning of a black Northern Illinois University baseball cap, Kevin Skatrud made official what was common knowledge since last June.
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound senior signed a national letter of intent to play football for the Huskies Wednesday in front of parents, coaches and several students at Brodhead High School.
Despite knowing that he was going to join the Huskies months in advance, his emotions were running high.
"It feels great," Skatrud said. "I keep getting more and more excited about it."
The multi-sport athlete's parents, Jeff and Lynn Skatrud, sat with Kevin as he signed the letter just a day after another important life milestone.
"It was like a right of passage," Lynn Skatrud said. "He just turned 18 yesterday and today he signs his letter."
Kevin will join his older brother Josh as a collegiate athlete. Josh is in his third year at UW-Parkside and plays on the basketball team.
"It's too much to ask," Jeff Skatrud said. "We're just just so grateful that the boys get the chance to realize their dreams. It's a great honor."
The Skatruds moved to Brodhead in 1990 and quickly got into Cardinal athletics. Jeff Skatrud said he and his sons started going to Brodhead games as soon as they moved to the town.
Kevin was a 2004 Beloit Daily News All-Area football selection on both the offensive and defensive line. He said he plans on redshirting his first year and then playing as an offensive tackle with the Huskies.
Early in the recruiting process, Kevin narrowed his choices to Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. When the Badgers failed to offer him a scholarship after summer camps, he made the decision to go to NIU.
"I liked the coaching staff," Kevin Skatrud said. "It was close to home, and they have a good football program."
NIU SIGNS 24: Coming off its first bowl win in 21 years, NIU went to work shaping its future Wednesday by signing 24 recruits.
The Huskies, who beat Troy in the Silicon Valley Classic, are 19-5 over the last two seasons under coach Joe Novak.
''With six offensive linemen and six defensive backs, we met some critical needs. There were 22 seniors sitting at that banquet table the other day. So we had some open scholarships,'' said Novak.
Theclass includes 14 in-state players, including 12 from the Chicago area. It is also evenly divided with 12 defensive players, 11 on offense and one on special teams.