LA CROSSE - Monroe High School alumnus Jon Becker will buckle his chin strap after he puts his helmet on one last time Saturday when the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football team closes its season at 14th-ranked UW-Platteville.
"It hasn't hit me that this is all coming to an end," Becker said. "As my football career has been coming to a close I have been trying to cherish my last moments with my coaches and teammates; everything from early morning lifts to practices to game days."
Although the Eagles (3-6, 2-4 WIAC) will not make the playoffs, Becker was honored to be one of the captains for this year's young team.
"Being in the playoffs is always a goal of ours, and it is always disappointing to not reach a goal," Becker said. "However, at the same time it fuels you to work harder to make sure you do not feel that disappointment again."
Becker, a 2012 Monroe High School graduate, has started as a defensive back all four years with UW-La Crosse. He has 59 tackles this year, which is third on the team. Becker has four pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
As a junior last year, Becker was honorable mention all-conference after racking up 41 tackles and three interceptions.
"I feel I have had a great football career at La Crosse," Becker said. "Starting all four years has been a unique experience I'm proud of. I feel I have developed as a leader and I'm grateful to have grown in that perspective."
Becker has battled a hip injury throughout the season but hasn't missed a game.
UW-Oshkosh (8-1, 6-0) clinched at least a share of the conference title with a 31-13 win over La Crosse last week. The Titans can win the title outright with a win over UW-Eau Claire on Saturday. UW-Whitewater (8-1, 5-1) can earn a share of the conference title by beating UW-Stout and a Titans loss.
"Even though we are a young team, we are passionate and driven and had high expectations for this season," Becker said. "The other captains and I wanted to set an example and turn the program in the right direction."
Becker is majoring in exercise sports and science, a pre-professional track. He will graduate in May and is applying to accelerated post-baccalaureate nursing programs. Becker plans to have his bachelor's degree in nursing within one year of graduation and then plans to pursue a masters to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Becker credited his football coaches in Monroe for helping prepare him for college football.
"Coach (Curt) Miller, coach (Curt) Elmer, coach (Tom) Witt and coach (Shawn) Paulson played a large role in helping me reach my potential in high school and gave me an edge in starting college football," Becker said.
"It hasn't hit me that this is all coming to an end," Becker said. "As my football career has been coming to a close I have been trying to cherish my last moments with my coaches and teammates; everything from early morning lifts to practices to game days."
Although the Eagles (3-6, 2-4 WIAC) will not make the playoffs, Becker was honored to be one of the captains for this year's young team.
"Being in the playoffs is always a goal of ours, and it is always disappointing to not reach a goal," Becker said. "However, at the same time it fuels you to work harder to make sure you do not feel that disappointment again."
Becker, a 2012 Monroe High School graduate, has started as a defensive back all four years with UW-La Crosse. He has 59 tackles this year, which is third on the team. Becker has four pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
As a junior last year, Becker was honorable mention all-conference after racking up 41 tackles and three interceptions.
"I feel I have had a great football career at La Crosse," Becker said. "Starting all four years has been a unique experience I'm proud of. I feel I have developed as a leader and I'm grateful to have grown in that perspective."
Becker has battled a hip injury throughout the season but hasn't missed a game.
UW-Oshkosh (8-1, 6-0) clinched at least a share of the conference title with a 31-13 win over La Crosse last week. The Titans can win the title outright with a win over UW-Eau Claire on Saturday. UW-Whitewater (8-1, 5-1) can earn a share of the conference title by beating UW-Stout and a Titans loss.
"Even though we are a young team, we are passionate and driven and had high expectations for this season," Becker said. "The other captains and I wanted to set an example and turn the program in the right direction."
Becker is majoring in exercise sports and science, a pre-professional track. He will graduate in May and is applying to accelerated post-baccalaureate nursing programs. Becker plans to have his bachelor's degree in nursing within one year of graduation and then plans to pursue a masters to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Becker credited his football coaches in Monroe for helping prepare him for college football.
"Coach (Curt) Miller, coach (Curt) Elmer, coach (Tom) Witt and coach (Shawn) Paulson played a large role in helping me reach my potential in high school and gave me an edge in starting college football," Becker said.
