The legendary 1994 Rose Bowl Championship game produced many notable
athletes, including center Derek Engler. Engler was with the UW from
94-96 then moved on to the NFL as an undrafted free agent picked up
by the New York Giants. He surprised coaches and players alike by
starting his rookie year and continued his career with the Giants for
four year, ending in 2001. A Badger at heart, Engler moved back to
Madison and is currently working as a financial advisor. Football
remains an active part of his life; he is involved with the UW Badgers
football summer internship program and serves as on the board of
directors for the NFL Alumni Madison Chapter.
What have you been doing since graduating and where are you living and working now
I
played in the NFL with the N.Y. Giants from 1997-2001 and have been
working with Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor since 2001.
Is football still a part of your life
It
will always be a part of my life in some manner. I am involved with a
summer internship program with the UW Badger football program. I am a
board of director for the NFL Alumni Madison Chapter which is our
Caring for Kids charity. I also work as a financial advisor with many
active and retired NFL players.
How has your academic experience and/or your degree from UW assisted you in your chosen career
UW
Madison prepared me on how to work with people and to carry yourself in
a professional manner because your reputation is everything.
Did your experience in athletics influence you in your current vocation
The
competitive nature, teamwork and leadership qualities that you need in
athletics have definitely influenced me in the financial industry. If
I did not have those qualities I would not be doing what I am today.
What is your fondest memory as a student-athlete
1994 Rose Bowl
What was your favorite moment on the football field
Senior Day and being named offensive player of the game that day against Minnesota.
Do you still currently follow UW football Have you been back to any games
I
stay close to the program at UW and I go to most of the games. I love
Madison. I moved back here because of my experience here as a
student-athlete and it is one of the greatest cities in the country to
raise a family.
What do you miss most about being a UW football player
I
miss my boys. The bonds that I created with my teammates will never
escape my memory. I definitely DO NOT miss running the stadium stairs.
What was the best part about being a Badger
Without a doubt that it would be running out of the tunnel at Camp Randall.
What were your favorite classes at Wisconsin
Sociology
of Sport with Professor Piliavin, Sociology 441 Criminology with Jack
Ladinsky, Sociology 475 Classical Sociological Theory, History of Jazz
and Blues (Big Bands, Music 205 and 206) with Professor Mike Leckrone
What were your favorite parts of campus
Lakeshore Drive, Terrace and State Street
What advice would you give current student athletes
Enjoy every minute of the experience because the real world is much more difficult than balancing school and playing a sport.
