Newest Academic All-American Claims a Place of Honor All His Own

by Dan Lukes, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

Samuel Staehling ’20 is a man of few words, but in his short time at St. Norbert College his accomplishments have spoken volumes.

The first student-athlete at St. Norbert to achieve first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America status as a sophomore, Staehling’s performance on the football field and in the classroom has already been unparalleled in school history.

Majoring in biology/pre-medicine, Staehling has fashioned an unblemished 4.0 grade point average. He’s also been a force on the football field, registering 25 touchdown receptions through just two seasons – a total that already stands as the third-best total in school history despite his having two years left to play.

Staehling’s banner sophomore season included 41 receptions for a whopping 16 touchdowns – a St. Norbert single season record. His 916 yards receiving equated to a lofty 22.3 yards per catch. Add in Staehling’s work in the classroom and you have the only sophomore on the first team of the 2017 NCAA Division III CoSIDA Academic All-America football squad.

Staehling says, “Being Academic All-American is such an honor because it shows how much work I’ve put in on the field as well as in the classroom, and it is humbling to be recognized for that effort,”

Staehling’s rapid ascension in the Green Knights’ framework upon arrival in De Pere is even more impressive when one takes into account his primary position at Plymouth (Wis.) High School was running back. In just his fifth collegiate game, Staehling enjoyed a breakout performance against Beloit College, catching four passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. He finished his freshman season with 31 receptions and nine touchdowns while garnering Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year honors in the process.

“I’m a little surprised to be as successful as I have been at wide receiver,” Staehling says. “I knew I would be able to compete outside, but I wasn’t expecting to be this successful as quickly as I did. I played a little receiver in high school for certain situations so I knew I could play receiver, but the success is unexpected.”

Staehling began his sophomore season with a pair of touchdown receptions in a double-overtime loss to University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He continued to dominate, posting five additional multi-touchdown games – including three with three touchdowns. Staehling’s season total of 16 touchdown receptions was tied for seventh-best in Division III.

The Green Knights also advanced to the Midwest Conference Championship Game, allowing Staehling to earn the Midwest Conference Elite 20 Award. The honor is awarded in each sport to the student-athlete with the highest grade point average participating in the championship or post-season tournament.

Staehling says it was an anatomy class during his junior year of high school that first awoke his ambition to study sciences with the goal of becoming a medical doctor. The mix of St. Norbert’s long-standing success in both academics and athletics made his college choice an easy one.

“There were two big factors that prompted me to attend St. Norbert,” Staehling says. “The first was that it was the only school on my list that I would have the chance to play football, and I still wanted to play. The second was the small school and small class sizes which led to academic success for this school.”

Staehling’s plate is full, especially during the football season. Like all highly successful student-athletes, he found a committed plan to manage both:

“The biggest challenge with playing football is balancing the schedule and sticking to it rather than taking a break. I had four classes and then went straight to practice, so I had to make sure I got my studying done later at night. There isn’t much relaxation time during the season, which can be tough, but I want to be the best I can be in the classroom so I sacrifice some free time to make sure my studies are done.”

There’s also one other factor Staehling noted to being successful – being around good people. Whether it has been his teammates or professors, Staehling has found a comfort level that has enabled him to thrive.

He says, “One of my favorite parts about the football team is the family/brotherhood relationship that the players are able to form with one another. We all consider each other brothers and it is something you can’t find everywhere.

“My favorite part of academics at St. Norbert is being able to build a relationship with my professors because of the small class sizes. It makes class more enjoyable and easier to understand the material. Even if I’m struggling to understand, I can always find time to meet with my professors.”