INTERVIEW WITH MIKE MARKER
BSN: Mike, How long have you been playing football and where did you start? (High School, Middle School?)
Answer: I started playing organized football in 5th grade, but have been playing as long as I can remember riding my bike. From a town of 300 people, we had all the neighborhood kids playing, with organized plays and teams, the whole nine yards. It was pretty serious, so I would say that's when I started.

BSN: In high school did you have many colleges recruiting you and what process did you take to get yourself noticed?
Answer: Honestly, without having the resources and having a very conservative coaching staff, I played solely because I really loved the game and winning with my close friends. When it came to my senior year of high school, more and more people were asking me if I was going to play college ball. I really wanted to play, but I had no idea how I would convince bigger programs, like Notre Dame, Kentucky, Florida, that I had what it took. I had a lot of Division III schools interested in me and I visited a few, but wasn't sure what was going to happen. When my senior season came to an end, our coach asked the team if anyone was interested in playing college ball.

That's when I knew I had to get the word out to the bigger colleges because there wasn't a lot of help outside of hard work and stats alone. I knew I could play, and in a small town others knew I could play, but that was not enough. My Dad and I started putting together a profile and high school films with all my highlights, both academically and athletically, listing all awards. This took a lot of time and we ended up sending them out to six major colleges and three 1AA schools. Every school was interested, but they were all recruited "walk-on" offers. The most interest came from Southern Illinois, strictly from the videos and paper profile. I ended up choosing Southern Illinois University because of Div 1 athletics, and I wanted to go into Engineering. Things didn't workout during my second season though and I transferred to Millikin University.

BSN: What was your experience like at Milikin University and what positions did you compete at?

Answer: It was a good experience. I did transfer there from Southern Illinois University with former QB coach Jim Zebrowski, who is the Offensive Coordinator for Wisconsin Whitewater, (congrats on their season!). Coach Zembrowski played a big part in my transferring there, but I also knew of their academic reputation since it was fairly close to home. Transferring from a Div 1AA school to Div III was definitely hard at first. I had attended preseason camp at Southern that year and not Millikin, so the welcoming was a little hard. Quickly though, the older guys liked how I pushed them and I was already in the receiver rotation, though more as a decoy. We ended up as Conference Champs that year and made it to the NCAA playoffs, leading the country in points scored per game. I played wide receiver all four years and returned kickoffs my junior year, one for 103 yards.

BSN: What were your expectations for playing at the next level after leaving Milikin and what leagues we you interested in?

Answer: Each season, I realized more and more that I did have what it took at the next level. I trained with a few guys from Illinois and Southern Illinois in the off season and was always taking on their bests and they complemented me on my talents. My senior season, I had all the confidence in the world to play professional football. The fifth game of the season bad luck struck when, in his first start, our freshman running back fell into my knee and strained my MCL. I was crushed and didn't know if I could get my knee back into shape by the end of the season; more or less the timing was horrible for scouts to take a look. I credit Dr. Bartosh of Danville, IL to my knee recovering as fast as it did, and making me believe I could still play. My concern was, who would take a guy from a D-III school with a season ending knee injury? I continued to train, waiting for an answer and I received an email from Dr. Jeff Schutt, who I had trained with twice at Don Beebe's House of Speed, before the season started, stating that he was aware of my injury and wanted me to do some intense rehabbing and eventually train with some of his pro-bound athletes. He evaluated me at the House of Speed and Muscles and Motion, and insisted I had what it takes at the next level. Of ALL the guys that Don and Jeff trained there, my times and talents reached the top, being timed by Don at 4.33sec in the 40yd, 39.5in vertical. I attended the North Regional combine to get a look from an NFL team, but I had to do real well. I did, and it eventually led to a Buffalo Bills workout, numerous AFL workouts, and a spot on the Green Bay Packers Practice Squad. However, bad timing struck again as a knee "hyperextension" in NFL Europe training camp caused the Packers to release me. This was my dream, but it's not complete.

BSN: What advice would you give to athletes looking to make it into the professional level of competition?

Answer: I know there is a song that states you must fight to keep your dreams alive. It is absolutely true. You live once, if there is something you want to attain, be rational, but "go get it, give it a shot". I have always been an underdog from every step of the way, but I knew I had what it takes, regardless of awards, politics, or what some coaches said. I made it. You first have to believe in yourself and then comes the very very hard work. The Professional level is the elite, the road to get there is treacherous and difficult. There are a lot of "ups and downs", "combines and tryouts", "bumps and bruises". You'll have your doubters and people telling you to move on. You need to eat right, do all the little things, and most importantly have faith in the Lord that he will give you strength and help you find the best path for you. If you need training tips ask me, I've been through just about everything.

BSN: You were one of the first athletes to join the Beyond Sports Network. What have you gained from the network and why would you encourage athletes at any level to join?

Answer: Already I have received strong interest from the arena football leagues and have some agents that are interested in representing me. I am currently trying out for the new AAFL, so we will see how that goes. I have some good interest out there. Not only has your site given me some playing options, and help from agents, but it creates an awesome network of players all across the country at different levels. I like how I have received emails from guys asking how the road has been. I am also interested in how other athletes are doing. I currently train one of the athletes in the system, so I will look forward to see how he progresses and makes contacts on your site. I would encourage all athletes to join your site for sure. The Athlete's Network is stronger when everyone works together. The road traveled is much easier too, trust me, ha-ha

BSN: You worked with Don Beebe and his speed camps. What did you learn and how did his expertise and experience influence your training and preparation for the pro levels?

Answer: I had many trainers along the way and have learned many different valuable training techniques. Along with valuable techniques, Dr. Schutt and Don Beebe put an importance of finishing everything and believing you CAN do it. The role of faith they both possess is very contagious too. It was a very good atmosphere to have trained in. I have many memorable stories. I trained athletes under Don at the House of Speed and ran his group clinics and helped him coach his new High School football team, taking them to the quarterfinals our first year.  Working with the younger athletes and training with the professional ones influenced my training greatly. (Thanks Jeff and Don!).

BSN: What leagues have you played in and what have you done to make sure you are always ready for a call?

Answer: Well I think I've worked out for about every league, to prove my worth. I worked out for three NFL teams, I was on the Packers roster for four months, and tried out for a few arena football teams. I think it is a good idea to keep your name out there. Although I decided to take a break, I would communicate my plans with agents and interested teams, so I kept them informed. I would suggest attending camps and combines close by your homes, first to get some exposure. Then make sure you are in the best shape of your life, because you never know when your call will come. I trained for a solid six months before my first NFL call, which came after my first combine. The workouts they put you through are intense, you have to BE PREPARED. As of late, I have a rigorous workout routine now consisting of boxing for my cardio training, and have a gym in my basement for resistance training. We use some of the indoor facilities at the University of Illinois for our routerunning and a pool close by for low shock training. Sitting at a desk all day makes me want to workout every other time of the day. I always have great guys around me to train with, it helps a great deal.

BSN: You are currently working out for the All American Football League teams/ combines. What are your thoughts and aspirations for this new and league?

Answer: When I first heard about the league, I thought, man, this league is for me. Every athlete is an established student and educated. Added to that, every player will have a backup plan when their football days are over. I played with a few guys that told me they never thought they'd be working at Toys R Us, honest to God truth (they never received a degree). The AAFL is also an outdoor league, which is very appealing to me, as I am an outdoor football player, that's how I began playing football and I believe that's how it should be played. The league has an ingenious concept and added to the fact that it is played at major universities and in the spring, this league is going to be huge. Every fan in America gets depressed when the NFL season is over.

Fans don't have to be lost anymore, because this league is going to be just as entertaining. Going to school as an engineer and finishing up in math/pre-engineering was always number one. My mom and dad always said that finishing school and always working hard in whatever you do will pay off. I had one professor tell me that I should give up football for a math class I fell behind in and I laughed at him. I learned that you have to find time to work hard at both, and once football is done, you have to have something to fall back on. I am currently working in Mechanical Design for an Engineering firm, and I can say it is a great job when my days of playing are over. I decided to take a little break and take the regular paycheck for awhile, but I'm very ready to get back on the field now.

BSN: What is your secret to continue to train and perform at your best while working a fulltime job?

Answer: Well it is easy when you consider beating up your body fun, ha-ha. I took a break for a few months and realized that a desk can slow things down, so you have to be active outside of work if you want to keep your edge. I train athletes on weekends and some mornings. Seeing the drive in their eyes is very motivating. I think I answered some of this question above too. Football has always been in me and I will always find time to train.

BSN: Mike, we cannot thank you enough for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend some time with us and the athletes out there.

Answer: Thanks for your time, I appreciate it.