The Middlebury Campus

Issue date: 5/8/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File Photo/Chris Boho Steve Hauschka '07 has his eyes set on an NFL career with the Vikings. [Click to enlarge]

Even though ESPN personality Mel Kiper Jr. did not comment on Steve Hauschka's '07 "explosiveness" or "pop" during the two-day media extravaganza of the NFL Draft, just hours after its completion the Middlebury alum signed a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Although his name was not at the top of any draft boards, nor was he involved in any ceremonial pose with his jersey, Hauschka has already slipped on his practice uniform to take part in mini-camps, with hopes of earning one of the 53 roster spots for next season.

After going to the first mini-camp in Minnesota this past weekend and sharing the field with the 2007 Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson, Hauschka - who used his final year of eligibility to play for the Division I North Carolina State Wolfpack - maintains a level-headed perspective.

"I'm trying to go in with the right mindset," said Middlebury's all-time leader in field goals. "There are a lot of famous athletes out there, but I'm going there to win a job, not to get some autographs."

He will get his chance to win that job over the next several months with a busy schedule. On May 18, Hauschka heads out to Minnesota to take part in offseason training. For five or six weeks, Hauschka and the Viking veterans will practice and work out together. Following a month and a half off, the entire squad will reconvene for training camp - the last set of practices before preseason games get underway. It will surely be a stressful and intense next couple months, but so was the draft weekend.

After the season at N.C. State ended - during which he converted on all 25 extra point attempts and on 16 of 18 field goal attempts - Hauschka worked hard with kicking coach Steve Wolf whom he got to know while at Middlebury through football head coach Bob Ritter. He has put on 25 pounds and was feeling as confident as ever in his kicking ability. On March 19, he took part in official weigh-ins and workouts for the scouts to watch. His performance generated interest and sparked dialogue between the kicker and several special teams coaches from around the league.

Continued...

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