Playing football at the collegiate level is a noteworthy accomplishment for any young man, his community, and school. Prairie du Chien is fortunate enough to have four graduates currently playing college football for the same team.

Tyler Keeney, Mike Lenzendorf, Michael Waller, and Tyler O’Kane are Prairie du Chien graduates playing together this season for the UW – La Crosse Eagles.

Keeney was the first of the four to join the UW-L football program. He says his decision to play at UW-L was easy. “I knew they were one of the elite football programs around the country and they contacted me saying they were interested in me,” Keeney says, “so, I went on a visit and I loved the atmosphere up there and it wasn’t to far away from home.”

A two-year starter at wide receiver, he is in his final year of eligibility. After finishing last season with 20 catches for 297 yards and two touchdowns, Keeney injured his foot during this season’s training camp and missed the team’s first two games. He returned to the lineup last week in UW-L’s 48-0 win over Missouri S&T.

Also dealing with an injury this season is fellow Prairie du Chien graduate, Mike Lenzendorf. “I had surgery last winter on my foot. I got high-lowed in the Platteville game [last season] and dislocated two bones and tore the ligaments in my foot,” says Lenzendorf, a three year starter at La Crosse. He has returned to practice and is still rehabilitating his foot to keep it strong for the season.

Lenzendorf’s college football path begin in Madison where he was a member of the Wisconsin Badgers. He later transferred to La Crosse where he is working toward majors in Mathematics and Education; and where he plays defensive tackle. “I think the best part [after transferring schools] has been the close knit group of guys,” he says, “Everyone that is on the team wants to be here and are not forced to do things. Everyone loves the game of football and you don’t have to worry about egos.”

Lenzendorf, a former state champion wrestler at Prairie du Chien, says football life on the big stage at Camp Randall Stadium helped him appreciate what a smaller school could offer. “I think just experiencing what it was like at the big level made UW-L just seem like a great place,” he says, “It made me realize how much I love the game of football.”

Earlier this year, Tyler O’Kane joined Lenzendorf with his decision to make the switch from the Badgers to the Eagles. O’Kane started the year as a walk-on with the Badgers football team before deciding to transfer. During the transition, O’Kane lived with Lenzendorf and Keeney during training camp until he go his own place.

As a true freshman, O’Kane has had playing time as primarily as a kick returner. He has also has been given a few carries at running back, a position which UW-L is very deep.

Two apartments down from Keeney & Lenzendorf’s residence is Michael Waller, another Prairie du Chien graduate. Listed as a wide receiver on the Eagles roster, Waller is a former Blackhawks quarterback. On the basketball court in high school, the 6′5″ Waller played center.

Waller began his athletic career playing basketball for UW-L before he traded his sneakers for cleats and a helmet. His friend, Tyler Keeney, helped him with his decision. “Michael asked me what I thought of him coming out for football,” recalls Keeney, “He wanted to know what his chances were of making the team. I told him to give it a shot because I knew his size and speed would give him a real good chance of making the team.”

“I helped with the playbook so he would not behind and he picked everything up real quick,” says Keeney. Fitting, considering Keeney plans on graduating this Spring with a degree in Recreation Management. 

Even though it’s been over four years since some of them have strapped on Blackhawks gear, the Prairie du Chien connection remains strong. Lenzendorf agrees, “Yeah, even though we are a few years older than guys like O’Kane, we still get along and have a strong group connection with them.” Waller, Lenzendorf, and Keeney all graduated from Prairie du Chien before Tyler O’Kane was in high school. However, Waller says that their Prairie du Chien roots have helped them all stay close. “We all share a bond coming from Prairie and we hang out a lot off the field,” he says, “we’ve welcomed [O'Kane] and gotten to know him pretty well since he’s been here. He’s going to have a great career.”

Waller also notes the long history the players have together.  “Mike [Lenzendorf] and I have been on the same football team since 7th grade,” says Waller, “and Tyler [Keeney] and I have played basketball and football together since elementary school.  It’s been a lot of fun to continue playing with two of my high school teammates and best friends throughout college.”

UW-La Crosse has started their season with a 3-0 record. The Eagles begin conference play when they host UW-Oshkosh this Saturday night before hitting the road to play at UW-Platteville on October 10th.

Photos were taken by Margaret Wage. Also, thanks to UWLFootball.com for other information