Badgering: Eric Steffes
November 24, 2016 | Football, Andy Baggot
Senior tight end values experience and challenges overcome at UW
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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — As far as statistics go, Eric Steffes has had a modest career with the Wisconsin football team. The fifth-year senior tight end from Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, has played 36 games dating back to 2013 with nine receptions, one carry from scrimmage and one touchdown. But his time with the Badgers has been eventful — like playing for three head coaches — and fulfilling, like earning his degree in kinesiology and pursuing his master's in that discipline. Steffes is one of 13 seniors who will make his final appearance at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday when UW hosts Minnesota. He spoke this week about playing through injuries, about the coaches he's played for and his favorite fellow senior.
Have you left your mark here?
"I'd say so. For me, I've battled through a lot of injuries and adversity and I feel like that's what this program is about. It's battling through things. Being a tight end, being able to do anything you can to help the team, I feel like that's what I've laid down through my career, that I'm willing to fight through things and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help the team."
Sometimes it looks like you're in pain when you run. Are you?
"I wouldn't say I'm in pain, but my body has definitely been through a lot the last six years. There's days where I'm definitely sore and what not, but on game day you can battle through anything when the adrenaline's going."
What injury has caused you the most problems?
"I had an ACL (knee) injury my sophomore year that really kind of set me back. From that point on I've really had to battle."
Has everything you've gone through been worth it?
"It's completely worth it. To come to this university, even when I was a kid, before I had any idea I'd be playing college football, I wanted to come to Madison. To have it paid for, to be able to play football here, it's absolutely worth it. I'm going to come out of here with my undergrad and my graduate degree, so it's completely worth it."
You're a kinesiology major going to grad school. How are the workloads different from going for your undergrad and getting that advanced degree?
"The workload for grad school I would say is a little easier. You don't have as many credits and the nice thing is you usually only meet once a week with your classes. It's not as big of a time constraint. And a lot of the assignments and projects you have are big projects, so you won't have all the busy work in between."
What's your mission? What do you want to do with your degree?
"I'm going to go into strength and conditioning. I'm not sure if it will be in a college setting or the private sector. I've been around athletics my whole life and I want to help athletes improve their game. I feel that's where my calling is."
You've played for three head coaches. How is Paul Chryst unique compared to Bret Bielema and Gary Andersen?
"Every coach is unique. It's just he's a Madison guy. He was born and raised here. I think his heart truly lies here. He really understands what this program is about. Not that the other coaches didn't, but he really gets it. He knows where this program should go and how it should do it."
What are you most proud of in your life?
"That's a tough one. I would say just being able to be here in this situation and my experiences here truly have been the proudest of my life. I've really loved everything I've done here. The experiences I've had, to be able to go through that, has really been a life experience and something I'm truly proud of."
Who's your favorite fellow senior and why?
"I'm going to give a shout out to (offensive lineman) Dan Voltz. He's been my roommate the last two years and he, a lot like me, has been through a lot. It's heartbreaking that he couldn't finish his career this year (due to injuries), but he's a guy who embodies doing everything for the team. Everyone really gets around the Badger football team and he has put everything he has into it. That truly is something special."
Are you prepared for the emotions for Senior Day?
"I think I'll be all right. I remember I teared up a little bit my first time coming out of the tunnel, having a dream come true, and it will be tough. Obviously it's the last time, but it'll be game day and it's a big game. I'll be thinking more about the game than that. Just everything that I've been through and the experience that I've had here, I'm happy I've gone through it, but I'm ready to be done. You can only do this for so long. I'm ready, but it will probably be a little emotional."
