Former UW-L players still working NFL ties

By JEFF BROWN
Of the Tribune staff

When Craig Kusick showed up in the lobby of a Minneapolis hospital last week, he didn't expect to see a former UW-La Crosse teammate.

Kusick and Bill Schroeder needed no introduction.

Teammates on the 1994 UW-L Eagles, Kusick and Schroeder both underwent physicals as directed by the Minnesota Vikings. Later that day, both were on the Vikings' indoor practice field in Eden Prairie, Minn., trying to make an impression.

Kusick, a strong-armed quarterback who was the 1995 NCAA Division III Player of the Year, was throwing footballs to Schroeder, a wide receiver/return specialist who spent this past season on the Green Bay Packers practice squad. Schroeder, in fact, has spent two seasons on the Packers practice squad. Sandwiched in between that, he spent one season on the New England Patriots injured reserve list.

Kusick has been hanging out between La Crosse, his parents' Apple Valley, Minn., home, and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., since the UW-L football season ended in November. Kusick served as a student assistant coach in 1996.

``It was me, Billy, and six other guys. There were no big stars,'' Kusick said of the workout. ``Bill was working out for them, too. From my standpoint, I thought it went real well. Every coach was there, including Dennis Green. The coaches, the scouts, the media, everyone was there.''

While the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Kusick was one of three players expected to receive a free-agent contract offer from the Vikings, it hasn't happened yet. Schroeder, on the other hand, signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday. The Packers suspended that contract, and assigned him to the World League, although it is unknown which team he will report to.

There are several ways to attain a roster spot on a World League team, according to John Perla, Schroeder's Milwaukee-based agent. The simplest route is the one Schroeder is taking.

``You have to be under contract to an NFL team, and they allocate you (to the World League) as part of the contract,'' Perla said. ``He is placed on a team, but doesn't have to go through the (World League) draft or anything. It is very, very difficult to come off the street and get into the (World League) draft.''

Schroeder was unavailable for comment Tuesday night, but Perla said the Vikings were interested in the speedy Schroeder. The Packers, however, had something to offer the Vikings did not: a Super Bowl ring.

``In order to get a Super Bowl ring, he had to sign with the Packers,'' Perla said. ``He had the lure of getting the ring with them (Green Bay). Plus, the Packers were very interesting in getting him over to the World League.''

There are six teams in the World League with about 250 roster spots open, according to Perla. Schroeder's first choice, according to Perla, would be to land a spot on the team from Scotland, while London would be his second pick.

The 10-game World League season begins in April, and ends in June. Schroeder, therefore, could conceivably go from the World League season right into the Packers summer training camp.

``The Packers are real excited to see what he can do under these game conditions,'' Perla said. ``The Packers will retain his rights when he comes back.''

Kusick, meanwhile, has also been in contact -- through his agent -- with the Detroit Lions. The Lions new quarterbacks coach, Marc Trestman, was the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator last year. While in that position, he brought Kusick to San Francisco for a one-day tryout prior to the 1996 season.

``The ball is rolling right now. Hopefully something will happen,'' Kusick said. ``All I can do is keep working out and keep in shape. I was told they (Detroit) put me on the draft list for the World League.''

þ HARCEY OVERSEAS: Troy Harcey's playing days are not over either. Harcey, who was UW-L's leading receiver last season with 75 catches for 775 yards, will be heading overseas next week to play in a professional league in Ancona, Italy, according to UW-L coach Roger Harring. Harcey finished his career with 123 receptions, second on the Eagles' all-time list.

When he comes back, Harcey will have additional incentive to return to school. Harcey has received a $5,000 NCAA post-graduate scholarship, which must be applied toward graduate studies. According to Harring, 35 athletes -- 10 of which came from Division III -- were awarded the scholarship.

Bold denotes home games