Scott Deopere All-American !!

" I'm not really thinking about being a first-team All-American next year because this is the year we think we can win a national championship and that's all that matters.''

Scott Deopere

Scott Deopere

By Jeff Wendland
staff sports writer

After leading his team in goals as a freshman and a sophomore, Scott Deopere knew it was going to be tough heading into his junior year at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

That's when the Rock Island graduate got together with some of his old Rock Island Legion Post 200 baseball buddies and decided to bulk up before he headed back to school.

A bigger Deopere was better for UW-Oshkosh this fall and he led the team in goals, points, game-winning goals and shots en route to a big season. In addition to being named offensive Player of the Year at Oshkosh and in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference; he was first-team all-WIAC; first-team All-State; first-team All-Midwest by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America; and second-team All-American by the NSCAA.

"The key for me was getting stronger, but also making sure I didn't lose my speed."

He had to be stronger. Deopere played most games with two and sometimes three players marking him -- usually in a physical manner.

That didn't seem to slow him down any. Deopere was able to get off 113 shots. The next highest total on the team was 38.

"It's a lot like basketball where you have a go-to guy that you run the offense around," he said. "I guess you'd call me our "go-to guy" although we have other guys who can get the job done."

As for the individual honors, Deopere, who next fall needs just 18 games, eight goals, 17 assists and 32 points to become the school's all-time career leader in each of those categories, never expected to get national recognition.

"I guess the coaches at the Midwest Regional in Wheaton were impressed and that's where they voted on the All-America teams," he said. "I just expected to get All-Midwest and that would be it."

As a second-team All-American, there's only one place left to go. Right?

"I'm not really thinking about being a first-team All-American next year because this is the year we think we can win a national championship and that's all that matters," he said. "We have everyone back except one guy and I think we can replace him."

"I suppose, after being named second-team this year, if we would win the national championship or get close and I have another decent year, I would have a chance to be first-team. That would be a great way to end my career."

College career, that is.

"Sure, I'd love to see if I could make it professionally," he said. "We'll see what happens."