IRVING, TEXAS – With his eye on studying law, Jack Schelhaas, a senior linebacker for the University of Sioux Falls Football Team, is in the midst of completing his Master of Business Administration degree at USF and continuing a journey in life that has been a "blessing."

 

Even though Schelhaas has had his final football season interrupted by the CoVID-19 pandemic, Schelhaas has exhibited how adversity confronted by resilience brings positive results.  A nominee for the 2020-21 National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy, Schelhaas understands life, like football, is one step or one play at a time.
 
"Jack (Schelhaas) is the epitome of a student-athlete and leader," said USF Head Football Coach Jon Anderson. "He has excelled in the classroom in undergraduate and graduate school all the while working to improve on the field of competition while leading his fellow teammates with a selfless dedication for the team," said Anderson.
 
During his time on campus, the Sioux Falls native has committed to academics with a GPA that earned him Magna Cum Laude (3.8 or better) honors in graduating last spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration. And, he has worked to earn a starting role on one of the nation's top defenses and a playoff team to boot in 2019 while also volunteering time to aid his campus and Sioux Falls community.
 
His time at USF has created a perspective that Schelhaas calls, "simply important."
  "While that may sound bland or obvious, it is the best way I can describe it," said Schelhaas, the son of Drew and Nancy Schelhaas of Sioux Falls. "Through USF, I have grown plenty spiritually, academically, and athletically, and have had a lot of fun doing so. The people I have met will be some of those I cherish for the rest of life, which has also been such a blessing. The lessons I have learned and the hardships I have battled through, both on the field and off, have molded me into a man I can be proud of. My experience at USF has been a journey, but one that was absolutely worth taking," said Schelhaas.
 
As a candidate for the prestigious National Football Foundation honor, Schelhaas and other nominees must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; showcase outstanding ability in football and demonstrate strong leadership and citizenship. As a candidate for the Named in honor of the late William V. Campbell, the former chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal, The William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda has become the most prestigious and desirable "academic" award in college football. The trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. Selected by the NFF Awards Committee in October, the finalists and the winner are all honored at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by ETT in December at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. Each finalist receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. 
 
Schelhaas certainly meets the NFF criteria with his leadership on the field, in the classroom and in service work.
 
Named to the Academic All-NSIC squad for second straight season in 2019, Schelhaas was also selected to the NSIC Academic Team of Excellence (GPA of 3.6 or better) for a second straight year. In 2019-20, he earned selection to the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award List.
 
In addition, Schelhaas has stepped up as a campus leader with his commitment to USF's "Culture for Service." He served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative 2016-2020 which included serving as a volunteer at Feeding South Dakota 2019-2020, and with COVID-19 Relief through Embrace Church 2020. He was also a volunteer at Sioux Falls Banquet 2016-2017, and with the Sioux Falls Helpline Center 2019.
 
Through it all, he has been a leader for the USF Football program. And, leadership is an attribute that takes a willingness to learn, listen and strive toward, said Schelhaas.
 
"For me, leadership is that healthy mix of tough, trustworthy, and being kind. A leader has to be strong in adversity and gritty against the hardships that come their way, especially when those that follow them do not have the strength to do so," he said. "A leader should be someone you can put your faith in and trust as you go into battle together. Lastly, a leader should be kind and comforting as well. It is important to be able to go to a leader and share your struggles, pains, and stresses and for them to be able to work through them with you and keep you on your feet. It can be tough to strike that balance, but leaders do so," he said.
 
Clearly, the senior linebacker is focused on being the best he can be in all he does. His experience at USF, related Schelhaas, opened his eyes to a future of promise. It is one that will be determined by his focus and effort, two attributes which he has always exhibited whether in competition or as a campus leader.
 
In his time at USF, Schelhaas, who has 39 career tackles as a linebacker and special teams standout, has been a huge part of a team that is 24-11 in three seasons with playoffs berths in both 2017 and 2019. His experience with the program is one that brought him a second family and incredible experiences.
 
"What makes attending and playing football at USF so special is the second family I have found over the years. I have met some incredible people both in the locker room and on campus that have become some of the people I hold closest," said Schelhaas. "Also, having a coaching staff and system around me that not only supported my football endeavors but my academic journey as well made it easy to find success in both avenues," he said.
 
As he has shown throughout his life, Schelhaas has no fear for what is ahead. Rather, he embraces it as an opportunity to continue a journey that will include navigating some bumps in the road but with his drive those will be handled smoothly.
 
 "College has always been a lot more than just football to me, and that will continue into next fall and beyond," said Schelhaas, who arrived at USF after quarterbacking his Sioux Falls Washington High School Team to a state football AAA title in 2015. "Through plenty of hard work, I hope to maximize my God-given talents and attend a top law school so that I may find a job within the field of law that would allow me to help others in their toughest times. Attending law school has been a goal of mine for years, and seeing it slowly come to fruition has been a treat and one that I am very proud of."