Mueller signs with UW-Platteville

Email this story Print this story Archives

No comments posted.

By JON WEISBROD / The Chippewa Herald
Saturday, July 14, 2007 10:02 PM CDT

For the past two seasons, Chi-Hi linebacker Ross Mueller stood out as a dynamic play-maker on a rough and rugged defense.

Now, Mueller hopes to stand out in a different way.

Since signing a letter of intent to play for NCAA Division III UW-Platteville, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Mueller is prepared to do whatever it takes to catch the eye of his new coaches.

“I’m just gonna work my butt off and try and help the team in any way possible,” Mueller said. “The coaches (Chi-Hi staff) told me to keep a positive work ethic and just be pre-pared for long days.”

In the middle August, Mueller will move to his new home and begin practice with his new teammates, including the dozens of fellow freshman recruits hoping to find a spot in the ultra-competitive world of college football.

For now, he is preparing his body for what will undoubtedly be the toughest training sessions of his life.

“I’m getting to the weight room as much as possible and running at 7 a.m.,” he said.

Mueller, who lettered three times in football, said he always had an interest in playing at the next level and was encouraged by his coaches to give it a shot.

“They really pushed it on me,” he said. “They made me work pretty hard because they knew I had a chance to play somewhere.”

Mueller was twice selected all-conference in the Big Rivers and was first team All-Chippewa County as a senior.

The letters and phone calls became a constant as college coaches and recruiters became interested in the versatile linebacker.

Mueller narrowed his decision down to Platteville and UW-Rivers Falls. After a formal visit to both schools in the middle of his senior year, Mueller made his decision.

“It (Platteville) just felt right,” Mueller said. “The classrooms are much closer together and I got a great feel from the coaching staff.”

The Pioneers finished 5-5 last season, playing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, one of the premiere non-scholarship leagues in the nation.

The school has more than 6,000 students and sits about an hour southwest of Madison near the Iowa and Illinois borders.

Mueller will have an opportunity to play in the second largest D-III football facility, Ralph E. Davis Stadium. According to Mueller, the newly-renovated 10,000-seat complex merely offered as an added bonus to his decision.

“It’s really nice.” Mueller said. “It going to be fun to play in, but that wasn’t the biggest reason why I chose Platteville.”

The pre-physical therapy major says classes will always come first, even before football.

“School will always come first,” he said. “(My schedule) will basically be get up, go to class, go to football, study and then get some sleep.

“It’s going to take a lot of time and hard work, both on and off the field.”

Reach Jon Weisbrod at jon.weisbrod@lee.net.