« FBS Football 2012

Jason Schepler

School
Northern Illinois
Position
Tight End
Major
Electrical Engineering

Classroom

Schepler is on schedule to graduate in December of 2012 and maintains a 3.85 grade point average in electrical engineering, one of the most challenging programs at Northern Illinois University. He achieved Victory Scholar status (3.50-4.0) within NIU’s Academic Excellence program during the 2011-12 academic year.

Character

Schepler, a former walk on who earned a scholarship at Northern Illinois, returns to the field after missing the 2011 campaign due to injury. A leader on and off the field, he didn’t let a season-ending injury deter his team involvement. One of the team leaders in community service hours while continuing to be an integral part of the NIU football program, the senior was also at practice every day and on the sidelines on game day, mentoring the Huskie tight end unit throughout NIU’s 2011 MAC Championship season. A member of head coach Dave Doeren’s Leadership Council for the past two years, Schepler tallies at least 14 hours of community service projects each semester (see community for details).

Community

A native of nearby Sycamore, Ill., Schepler is very active in the DeKalb-Sycamore community. For the last two years, he participated in the football team’s bingo night at a local nursing home in DeKalb as Schepler and members of the football team spend an evening each week playing bingo with local residents. Schepler and his sister, Justine, a member of the NIU volleyball team, spoke at their old grade school, South Prairie in Sycamore. The Scheplers spoke to children in kindergarten to fifth grade classes about the importance of getting good grades and staying in school.  They ate with the kids during their lunch period, gave away prizes, signed autographs and played kick ball with the fifth graders. During the 2011 fall semester, he traveled to various elementary schools in DeKalb and nearby Cortland and volunteered at their Fun Fairs, helping set up and run several games. Schepler and several members of the NIU football team spent a school day at Clinton-Rosette Middle School prior to the Huskies’ preparations for the 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl. Schepler and his teammates discussed the importance of staying in school, playing sports and life. Schepler has volunteered at Boy Scouts “Sports Day” at NIU’s Chick Evans Field House. Huskie football players, including Schepler, gave up a Saturday afternoon to play games with the kids, including basketball, football, volleyball and soccer.

Competition

Schepler was coming off a career year in 2010 as the Huskies’ starting tight end before a knee injury during spring drills ended his 2011 season before it began. A third team All-Mid-American Conference selection by the league coaches in 2010, he posted career highs in receptions with eight and yards with 93. Named the team’s 2010 Tight End/Fullback of the Year, he was named NIU’s Co-Offensive Linemen of the week after making a career-long 20-yard reception against Akron. An excellent blocker, his efforts were key to NIU’s record-setting offensive numbers as the Huskies broke eight school single season records and set the MAC record for rushing yards in a season in 2010.