A Higher Level: SNC Pros

SNC student athletes have competed in the Midwest Conference since 1983 and in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association since 1994. Of the 20 percent of the campus that participates in the 20 sports for both men and women, the number of professional athletes from the school over the years is extremely low. This fact shows the athletic prowess, statistics and caliber of play needed to make the next level. Luck could be a factor, but for most, it was their play and commitment to the sport that got them to a higher level. One former student athlete that played at a higher level was quarterback Cody Craig. A graduate of 2008, Craig was the 2007 MWC Offensive Player of the Year with numerous MWC records and a top-20 caliber quarterback in the Division III program. His first venture was with the Indoor Football League's River City Rage and eventually made his way to the Continental Indoor Football League's Milwaukee Bonecrushers. According to Craig, one of his favorite parts of playing arena football was playing in venues with rambunctious fans that are nearly on the field themselves.

"It was definitely different from playing at Minahan," he said. "About 40 game balls get thrown in the stands, and players are flying over the walls on a consistent basis."

Another factor of going pro, as seen with the recent contracts being signed on ESPN, would be a fairly obvious one-each player gets paid. But with recent economic struggles and closures, the higher level Arena Football League and NFL Europe have been lost.

"Getting paid to play a sport had always been a dream of mine growing up, so it was pretty cool in that regard," said Craig. "The one tough thing about football, contrast to other sports, is that there isn't a 'minor league' level to work your way up the ladder while making a living out of it."

Another Green Knight that has played professionally and is currently signed at the next level is Robert Forstrom. Forstrom, a kicker, punter and wide receiver for the Green Knights football team, was a first-team Division III All-American as a placekicker in 2006. He also was selected to play for the American Football Coaches Association's Division III all-star team that represented the United States against the Mexican National Team in the 2006 Aztec Bowl. Soon after college, he signed with the Green Bay Blizzard, an Arena II (AF2) football team.

"It is definitely everything it is hyped up to be. I play with the guys I was watching on TV while I was at SNC," Forstrom said. "I was amazed the first time I saw someone wearing a Forstrom jersey in the stands and couldn't believe someone would actually pay money for one of my jerseys.

Although SNC Football has seen some light with former athletes playing after their tenure, it is not the only sport to do so. The most recent SNC acquisitions, was on the baseball diamond. On June 6, 2008 in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, shortstop Adam Frost was selected by the Detroit Tigers. Due to recruitment, Frost ended his career at SNC to pursue major leagues. He was the 643rd selection overall and is the first St. Norbert player drafted since Mark Kirst in 1997. During his time at SNC, Frost was an All-American and finished third in the NCAA Division III batting race.

With the lone National Championship sitting proudly in the Cornerstone Community Center, it is obvious there has been strong success on the ice for SNC. With that in mind, today we see the goaltender with the most wins in NCAA Division III history Kyle Jones currently playing for the ECHL's (East Coast Hockey League) Phoenix Roadrunners. The 2008 National Champion and All-American originally signed with the AHL's (American Hockey League) Worcester Sharks, an affiliate of the NHL's (National Hockey League) San Jose Sharks.

After going through training camps, Jones then was playing through the system to work his way up. Although the Roadrunners finished a record year with 30 wins, they ended their season abruptly.

Jones ended the season with a record of 9-16-2, prior to the organization announcing their choice to cease operations. He is currently stationed under the San Jose Sharks' system roster.

SNC's sixth leading scorer of all time, Marc Belanger, signed with the Texas Brahmas of the CHL (Central Hockey League) and was soon traded to the Wichita Thunder.

"I love being able to play the sport I love," he said. "The money is just a little bonus." When asked about how long he was looking to play hockey professionally, Belanger looked at it day by day and that one or two more years would be to his best interest. Whenever he feels that the he is done competing at a higher level, Belanger will look to use his SNC degree.

So would a former student-athlete stick to professional play? Forstrom replied that he would keep playing professionally as long as it would pay the bills. When someone asks if he enjoys it, Forstrom replies that he is "living the dream.