Houston High lineman scores academic scholarship worth $160,000; chance to play college football

HOUSTON — John Koeneman had been mulling over opportunities to play football at the collegiate level until a point at which the Houston High School senior thought he was ready to make a final decision.

The two-year captain of the Hawks football program was on the verge of contacting Dakota College at Bottineau and committing to the small two-year school in North Dakota. But before he could make that call, Koeneman received an offer he never expected.

Lawrence University wanted the 6-foot-4 offensive lineman to play for the Division III Vikings football program.

And as an added bonus, Lawrence had put together an academic scholarship package for Koeneman worth $160,000.

It’s an offer Koeneman couldn’t refuse.

Koeneman made it official May 4, committing to the Appleton, Wisconsin, school as he was surrounded by family, friends, classmates, coaches and teachers in the Houston High School gymnasium.

“I was about to call the coach (at Dakota College at Bottineau) and was going to sign with them. That day the (Lawrence) coach called. I’m very lucky I didn’t make that call,” Koeneman said after posing for pictures with friends during the ceremony.

Koeneman — a multisport athlete who also competes in track and field, Native Youth Olympics and clay target shotgun shooting — is among Houston High’s top students. Koeneman is Houston High’s salutatorian for the class of 2016, sporting a 3.918 grade point average. But even with his great success in the classroom, the academic scholarship offer wowed Koeneman.

“I was surprised, excited,” Koeneman said. “I was extremely happy for that. At first I thought Lawrence is way too expensive. How would I be able to go there? When I got those scholarships it made everything possible.”

Koeneman appeared on Lawrence’s radar after Houston head coach Glenn Nelson contacted Lawrence offensive coordinator Mark Speckman.

“I was trying to push John around. He’s a big kid with good grades, we should be able to get him somewhere,” Nelson said. “Once he got a hold of (John’s) grades, it was a pretty easy deal.”

Koeneman could play anywhere on the offensive line for the Vikings, but his preference is center, where he earned second-team All-Aurora Conference honors as a senior.

“I’m on the ball every play,” Koeneman said of the center position.

Koeneman also played tackle and guard during his time with the Hawks, and was a starter on the defensive front. As a cerebral player, Nelson sees a fit for Koeneman as a college center.

“He’s got the size, and he’s so smart. He’ll pick up anything quickly,” Nelson said.

Koeneman’s teammates were in the Houston High gym during the ceremony. Nelson said Keoneman stands as a great example for his classmates and future Hawks.

“Academics is huge. He didn’t get the scholarship offer at $160,000 if he didn’t have the academics to go with it,” Nelson said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.