GLEN ELLYN, Ill., Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Matt Fletcher and Evan Kirk took an indirect path to College of DuPage. Like their counterparts, the two come to campus each day, attend classes and hit the field for football practice, but the non-traditional students are older than most of their teammates and both of them have military backgrounds.
For them, the desire to play college football may be "unfinished business," but the game is going hand-in-hand with their college experience. Both men say the military was a means to higher education and tested their mettle in the field before they set foot in a college classroom.
"My senior year of high school, I realized I didn't rebound my GPA and didn't have a lot to go on if I wanted to go to college," said Fletcher. "I looked to the military and knew I wanted to do the hardest thing they had to offer, which is why I trained as an Army Ranger. I wanted to see what I was capable of accomplishing."
Several tours in Afghanistan later, the 23-year-old Lisle resident decided to focus on education. After considering his options, Fletcher decided on College of DuPage, hoping to also have his chance on the field after a four-year absence from the game.
"I met with my high school coach first and then with (COD head) Coach Matt Foster and decided this was something I could do. Ultimately, I want to earn my bachelor's degree in exercise science," Fletcher said.
Fletcher's teammate East coast transplant Evan Kirk said the decision to enlist in the military was easy – he'd grown up in the foster care system and saw the opportunities the military provided. Settling on the Marine Corps was even easier.
"Because they're the best," he smiled. "I was in for four years as a machine gunner and spent time in Afghanistan."
Post-military life included time at Illinois State University, where Kirk was red-shirted before transferring to College of DuPage. Having played football since age 9, the 25-year-old Naperville resident wanted to continue in the sport and approached Coach Foster for an opportunity.
"My ultimate goal is to graduate," he said. "I took all my Fire Science courses and I'm taking EMT classes now. I should finish next fall."
Chaparral head Coach Matt Foster said it's not unusual for students to come to COD to continue their skills on the field while improving their performance in the classroom. In fact, it's usually a given.
"Most of our players come to College of DuPage because, for whatever reason, they weren't ready to attend a four-year school," Foster said. "We give them the opportunity to play and give them the tools to be successful in the classroom as well."
Playing football, however, is secondary to academics and athletes can only be effective on the field if they perform well academically, Foster said. The entire football coaching staff creates a family of sorts, giving athletes the support they need to ultimately achieve their goals, whether that's playing at a four-year school or obtaining their credentials and advancing on their career path.
"At the end of the day, it's about giving the students the skills they need to be successful in the classroom and in life," Foster said. "Football is only a portion of that equation."
The COD Chaparral gridders have three remaining games for the 2014 season. Click here for more information on the team's upcoming games. Click here for more information on the College of DuPage Athletics program.
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SOURCE College of DuPage
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