Wenzelburger creating a legacy on and off the field

Written for CUWFalcons.com by Jasmin Bowers, which appeared in the Sept. 20 game program

The senior captain has rewritten numerous CUW and Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference records and is on pace to own many more records before his career is over. More so, the sure handed 6-foot-6 wide receiver has hauled in more receptions than any player before him and is the go-to pass catcher when a big play is needed.

Off the field, the Hartland, Wis., native hasn't changed since his glory days at Milwaukee Lutheran High School. He is still humble and compassionate for his teammates, especially in the heat of battle. Prior to attending CUW, the all-state prep player was sought-after by many different schools, including NCAA Division I programs.

Wenzelburger had dreams of earning a roster spot at Drake University in Iowa, but after an orientation visit in July and some deep thought, he found himself asking President Patrick Ferry if attending CUW was still a possibility. Upon his acceptance, he knew after walking the hallways of CUW in the fall of 2011 it was the correct decision. Wenzelburger just wanted a place to call home and a chance to play football.

"I knew I was going to have a chance to play," he recalled. "But I still had to prove myself."

President Ferry initially talked with Etter to deliver the great news. After several phone conversations, Wenzelburger met with head coach Greg Etter in his office to inform him of his decision. As you can imagine Etter's enthusiasm was indescribable when Wenzelburger told him he wanted to play for him.

"When I told him I was coming, he said something along the lines of 'You just made a short little fat man the happiest guy on earth.'" Wenzelburger said laughing when remembering the moment. "It's pretty cool that a head coach is that excited to have you. They always tell you to look for a university where you are wanted...and I don't think there's a place where I was wanted more than here (CUW)."

Still to this day, the numbers don't matter unless the team wins. For Wenzelburger, they represent what he has yet to accomplish. As a competitor, he sees the numbers only as a challenge to be better than the week before. The key is always to improve, especially when his play doesn't appear in the box score. In Wenzelburger's eyes, it's about what he can improve on to help the team achieve a victory.

Over the course of his career, things have evolved. Besides being the biggest receiving threat on the field, teammate relationships have formed for Wenzelburger, especially with fellow senior captain and quarterback Austin Damaschke. The bond between passer and catcher goes beyond the football field and is vitally important for the All-NACC performer.

Wenzelburger has become a household name for fans talking about the Falcons, but he is more than just a football player. The secondary education-biology major has aspirations of teaching tomorrow's leaders and is an active member in the community.

Years from now when his career is over and people see his name in the record books, he wants them to talk about his off the field achievements as well. Wenzelburger is an outstanding wide receiver, but he puts forth the effort to be known as a positive role model and a complete student-athlete.