DE PERE (WLUK) — Very few NFL draft prospects have the backstory and unique resume quite like St. Norbert College’s track star turned wide receiver turned tight end, Mitch Van Vooren.
At Peshtigo High School, Van Vooren knew track and field was his calling.
“You know, it’s hard to turn down a D1 scholarship, so I took that and ran with it,” former Peshtigo Bulldogs athlete Mitch Van Vooren said.
Even after a highly successful four-year track career at Marquette University, where he set the school record in the 400 meter hurdles, Van Vooren knew his real passion was always the football field.
Instead of taking a scholarship offer at Wisconsin or Miami, he chose to continue his track career due to COVID, giving him extra years of eligibility.
“Even at Marquette, I thought this was my end goal. I always wanted to be in the NFL and compete at the highest level,” Van Vooren said. “St. Norbert was just another piece of that plan.”
Van Vooren called up the Green Knights’ head coach because he wanted to come close to home and play the sport he always loved.
“Just belief in myself. Taking this jump to come play football is a little bit discomforting. I had a great track career and could have kept adding to that, and took the leap of faith to come play football and chase this dream,” Van Vooren said.
The addition of a 6’5″, 245-pound pass-catching track star to the roster was sure a win for both St. Norbert and Van Vooren.
He finished his college career with 13 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards, earning First Team All-Conference honors.
When asked what he brings to the next level: “Explosive plays and physicality. I think I use my body and speed, my track speed, well out on the field, so when you turn on the tape, that’s what you are going to see,” Van Vooren said.
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Van Vooren is currently in the final chapter of his athletic endeavors and the words were pretty much already written before it even started.
“I mean, even at Marquette, I thought if I couldn’t go play football for two years, I was still going to try and make it to a pro day and try out,” Van Vooren said.
The Peshtigo native also received a Packers local pro day invitation.
“Growing up 45 minutes north of Green Bay, everybody always idolizes the Packers,” Van Vooren said. “So being able to go in there and meet the coaches, meet the staff and get a tour of the facility, kind of talk ball with those guys, is a pretty cool experience.”
Not only did Van Vooren play football for SNC, he also continued his track career, finishing fourth at nationals.
