Luke's Autobiography

Hey everyone! Welcome to the site. My entire life has produced things that have been a surprise to me. Each step along the way has been something new and honestly I have been blessed in ways that I had not expected, this website being one of them. I was asked to give a bio of myself and was trying to write it in third person but I really felt I could communicate my life and passions better by keeping it informal. This whole last year has been a transition time for me with many ups and downs and twists and turns. It has been a hard but great journey that has matured me in so many ways.

I grew up in Fennimore, a small rural town in southwest Wisconsin. I have three brothers and a sister. Eric is 20 and a sophomore at Winona State University where he plays cornerback on the football team and is majoring in business management. Nathan is 18 and a senior at Fennimore High where he is the class Salutatorian with a 4.0, musically blessed, and a three sport athlete. He will attend University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse where he plans to get his doctorate in Physical Therapy. Aaron is 13 and the most natural athlete and musician out of the brothers. He plays basketball, baseball, and football. Leah is the surprise of the family. She is a year old, which means there is 22 years difference between us. She was born with down syndrome and tetralogy of fallot, a heart condition that required surgery at 6 months. She is doing incredibly well and has brought nothing but joy into our family. My parents, Scott and Chris, have been married 28 years and have been incredible example of Godly parents. They have been a constant that I can rely on and have supported me in everything I have done.

I grew up loving anything and everything to do with sports. In High School, I was a three sport athlete in track, basketball, and football. I ran track for three years in which time I was a sprinter and jumper. My first love was basketball and played this for as long as I can remember. I played the one or two guard. I did not start playing football until I was a freshman in high school. I soon realized that I loved the game for its physical nature and demand on competition. I started out my freshman year as an option quarterback but soon switched to wide receiver my sophomore season. It was a great switch since both my quarterback and I made the All-State Team my junior and senior seasons.

As a result of this switch, I was given the opportunity to walk-on to the University of Wisconsin football team by Head Coach Barry Alvarez. I remained a walk-on and reserve receiver for three years. Looking back, it was a very tough three years, but a three year period that matured me and gave me a great appreciation and perspective. I learned a great deal including hard work, discipline, perseverance, and patience. After three years in a back up role, I was able to earn a scholarship and a starting position opposite Paul Hubbard under the tutelage of receivers coach Henry Mason. Through these two seasons, under Head Coach Bret Bielema, we as a team were able to go 22-4 and the seniors left the University as the winningest class in Wisconsin Football history with 40 wins.

I have a great passion for football. I love the game and everything that comes with it. I also have a passion for something that extends far beyond the football field, something that has far greater implications. It is my belief and faith in the one who created everything, including the game of football. Over my 23 years on this earth, I have grown and matured in this faith in Jesus Christ and have been challenged to give Him control of more and more of my life. God has given me a specific set of talents and abilities. I believe He gave me the passion and ability to play football, and as a result my only response can be to play to the best of my ability and bring God glory through the way that I play.

This past season has been very challenging in many ways. Without this foundation of faith and an understanding that God has my life under control, it would have been devastating. My season was cut short six games into the season with a hamstring tear that required reconstructive surgery. My future was very much uncertain and I was not sure if I would ever play football again. It was hard but I have learned so much as a result of the injury and have been refined and matured in so many ways. One Bible verse that really spoke to me through the injury was James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.

I really believe this injury was the best thing for me and is a part of God’s sovereign will. The injury has taken six months to heal and is returning to full strength and mobility. God has made it clear He wants me to continue to play football and give Him glory in the process. I really don’t know what the future holds. If it’s a career in professional football, I’m excited. If it’s a career as a coach, I’m excited. If the Lord opens doors in my degree in Kinesiology or if the Lord leads me into ministry in Athletes in Action, I’m excited. All I know is God has a plan for my life and whatever He has in store for me is far beyond what I could ever think or imagine.