Schick finds fit at UW La Crosse
LA CROSSE, Wis. (BVM) – Sawyer Schick just wants to play football.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound starting long snapper and fourth-string quarterback for the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse was just searching for the right fit.聽
Schick, a redshirt junior, is entering his third season with the eagles.聽
The former two year starting quarterback and long snapper for the Horlick Rebels, originally committed to Division II University of Sioux Falls, as a preferred walk-on.聽
However, Schick decided to transfer from Sioux Falls following his freshman year, in which he redshirted.聽
鈥淚 felt out of place,鈥� Schick said. 鈥淚 was at a college over 500 miles away from home, I wanted to be somewhere that was closer to home.鈥澛�
Although Schick decided to transfer, he remains grateful for his lone year spent at Sioux Falls.
鈥淓ven though I did transfer from USF, I am glad I spent my first year of college there,鈥� Schick said. 鈥淚 learned a lot about myself and what I value in life.鈥澛�
After Schick was granted his transfer request from Sioux Falls, he was uncertain of what his next step would be.聽
Football had always been Schick鈥檚 passion, but he pondered the idea of going a different route.
鈥淲hen I had looked into other schools during the transfer process, I originally did not want to play football,鈥� Schick said. 鈥淚 remember asking myself if I wanted to keep playing the sport that I grew up loving.鈥澛�
While searching for his next opportunity, Schick prioritized three factors. Schick was looking for a university which had a larger enrollment and campus size than Sioux Falls, had to be located in the state of Wisconsin and needed to feel like home.聽
After months of searching, Schick had to make a decision between two schools; University of Wisconsin – Madison and University of Wisconsin – Lacrosse.聽
Ultimately, Schick decided to attend UW – La Crosse and continue playing football for the WIAC program.聽
鈥淚 decided to attend UW – La Crosse because I wanted to give football another chance,鈥� Schick said. 鈥淐oach Mike Schmidt (former head coach at La Crosse) welcomed me with open arms and wanted me to play both quarterback and long snapper, providing me with an opportunity I was looking for.鈥澛�
In his first season with the eagles, Schick did not see the field but remained committed to his team because he was able to contribute to their success.聽
鈥淓ven though I didn鈥檛 get to play in the games and directly impact the outcomes of them,鈥� Schick said. 鈥淚 still wanted to help the team by doing my part.鈥澛犅�
This meant Schick spent the season being one of three quarterbacks for the scout team. Schick has always been known to care more about the overall team success than his individual success. Which is why he was able to be so quickly acclimated with his teammates and coaches.聽
鈥淚 was welcomed with open arms,鈥� Schick said. 鈥淢y teammates treated me as a brother on my first day, I’ve never felt out of place or excluded from anything.鈥澛�
Schick鈥檚 second season with the eagles was over before it even started. The season was cancelled due to COVID-19 which allowed Schick to work on his body and prepare for the following season, while still retaining that year of eligibility.聽
As Schick enters the 2021 season being named the starting long snapper and fourth-string quarterback for the eagles, his focus remains on one thing. To win.聽
鈥淚 want to help the team win games,鈥� Schick said. 鈥淚 want to get better every single time I step on the field and do whatever it takes to help the team win.鈥澛�
Schick is grateful for the impact football has had on his life. He understands football isn鈥檛 forever and doesn鈥檛 want to leave any regrets when he looks back on his playing career.聽
It was always about finding the right fit for Schick, and that is what UW – La Crosse has provided.聽
鈥淒eciding to go to school at UW – La Crosse is the best decision I have ever made.鈥�
