Blue Devil Alumni Spotlight: John Selenske

Name – John Selenske
UW-Stout graduation year – 1994
Major – Hospitality and Tourism Management
Sport(s) – Football
Years Played – 1989, 90, 91 & 92
Hometown (High School) – Coloma (Westfield High School)
Currently Reside – Fort Collins, CO
 
Give us a brief synopsis of your life since graduating from UW-Stout, include job and family?  
After graduating I moved to Minneapolis and worked in the hospitality industry managing banquets and married Jennifer Rybarczyk, who I met at Stout. After Jennifer graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Accounting we moved to Westfield, WI to assist my family with the agricultural business.  After the agriculture business was sold, I started my career with the Federal Government at the Oxford Federal Correctional Institution as a Correctional Officer. Because of my specialized business degree, I was selected for the Contracting Officer position.  I received a promotion to Casper, WY then Des Moines, IA with the United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service and now I work for the USDA – Departmental Management in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Jennifer and I just celebrated being married 20 years and we have three children; Faith 14, who plays lacrosse, Colton 12, who plays football (yup o-line), wrestling and lacrosse and Genevieve 3, who does whatever she wants.  Our house has the same energy I felt in that field house after wins without the cold comforting cement bench!
 

Why did you choose to be a collegiate student-athlete at UW-Stout? 
When I toured UW-Stout I watched a game and just remember the team camaraderie after the game.  There was a gathering in the field house post-game and the energy after a win by the football bouncing through the goalposts had me hooked.  I wanted to be a part of that and contribute to the team.  I thought it was incredible!
 
What did you like most about competing in collegiate athletics? 
The camaraderie on and off the field.  My freshman year, I thought about joining a fraternity and I asked Guy Kopp what he thought of fraternities.  He looked at me and said, "John we already belong to the best fraternity on campus, the football team."  He was right. 
 
What is the greatest lesson you learned from being a collegiate student-athlete? 
Do not expect anything, create a goal, work towards that goal and then you will succeed.    
 
You were an offensive lineman where as a group of 5 you had to all work together to be effective, how have you taken those lessons you learned into your everyday life? 
You work harder for others than for yourself and communicating is the key component.  I loved practice and off-season workouts the jaw-jacking and always thinking I need to be better for those guys; I do not want to let them down.  I use that same theory with the contracting team and my family, always communicating while trying to improve.
 
Who was the most influential person in your athletic career? 
Duey Naatz, without a doubt.  I was surprised that when I came to Stout in 1989 and there was not a collegiate-level lifting program.  When Duey showed up in 1990 and implemented the strength training program, my football career really turned around.  I always tried to lift and be active in the off-season but until Duey, there was no direction, heavy all the time.  Duey provided the structure in the off-season and that off-season leadership helped the team move in a positive direction.  More importantly, he made working fun.  What a simple theory!
 
What is your most memorable or favorite sports moment at UW-Stout?
Hog film review day.  This was a tradition that Duey started, where the Hogs got together on Thursday, got some dinner and scouted the team we were playing that week.  This was a great time learning the other team's idiosyncrasies while hanging with your buddies.  Making work a blast, the Duey motto!
 
How did your teammates describe you as a person and a student-athlete? 
I remember John Olson a kicker who was a color commentator after playing, saying, "Selenske is a tree trunk with legs."  Now when I ask the Hogs, I have the following responses Phil said, "Special, without ankles."  Rose's response, "Tuxedo t-shirt" business, but I like to party. To paraphrase Hap, A good friend who can find common ground and build relationships while enjoying life with an indefatigable energy.  Bill's response, "A great friend and an even better father and husband.  He wouldn't hesitate to give you the shirt off his back, or the shoes off his feet."  That is quite a broad spectrum of descriptions. 
 
Are you in contact with any former Blue Devil student-athletes? (If so, who?) 
Yes, I am in constant contact with The Hogs – Billy Uhlmann, Mike "Happy" Feller, Chris "Rosy" Palmer, Phil Konrath and the Little Guy – Mike Lettecci.  The linebackers – "#9 in your program, #1 in your heart", Mark LaLonde, Jeff "TaterTot" Nagel and "the other Pollack" Tim Bozikowski.  The Golf Outing and other social media tools help me keep in contact with many of the other guys.
 
Outside of athletics, what other activities were you involved in at UW-Stout? 
Intramural flag football champions 1994, Assistant Strength coach and Get-Back coach in 1993-94.  The coaching experience was an incredible eye-opener that I encourage student-athletes to partake in if the opportunity arises. 
 
You have stayed involved with alumni activities and supporting UW-Stout football, what do you like most about staying connected? 
Watching the guys develop and how after 25 years we are now, for the most part in good places personally and professionally.  I have incredible friends and I am truly blessed.
 
You currently have a two nephews on the team, Joe Hakeem and Ronnie Engstrand, what is it like cheering them on at Stout games?
I feel honored that they have decided to attend UW-Stout and play football.  Watching the changes Joe has made since starting the program is just awe inspiring.  His dedication, determination and work ethic both on and off the field is the reason I am most impressed with him.  I am very proud of both of them and hope they have a great experience and the life-long friendships that make my Stout experience an outstanding part of my life.