By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
DE PERE — During a ceremony at West De Pere High School Nov. 23, seniors Josh Blount and Kaden Kosobucki each signed National Letters of Intent to play collegiate baseball.
Kosobucki, a catcher, signed to play for Division I Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, while Blount chose Division I Illinois State University (ISU) in Normal.
Kosobucki was a first-team Bay Conference selection as a sophomore.
“Being a catcher involves being the leader on the team,” said Kosobucki. “You touch the ball almost an entire game. You have to keep your head on a swivel and know what’s going on.”
He will join 2019 West De Pere graduate Connor Langreder at NIU.
The Huskies, who haven’t finished above .500 since 2011, have endured eight straight losing seasons.
In 2021, NIU will face Missouri, Boston College and a challenging Mid-American Conference schedule.
“You have to keep working to build a winning tradition,” Kosobucki said. “The better bond you build with your teammates, the more each of you has the trust factor to go out there and fight for nine innings.”
Kosobucki said the sectional game against Waupun in 2019, an 11-0 victory, is one of his favorite moments.
“One of my goals in my final season (at West De Pere) is to sweep (Bay Conference opponent) Seymour,” he said.
Blount also excelled as the starting quarterback for the Phantoms the past four years, but received no offers on the gridiron.
After going 17-37 in 2016, ISU improved to 36-26 two seasons ago and finished a game below .500 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
“Baseball is a little more homegrown,” said Blount. “I grew up with my buddies playing the sport. I had a few other offers, including West Virginia in Morgantown. However, I took a visit to Normal in July and fell in love with the campus. The coaching staff came in a few years ago, and it has taken off. The talent and skill of the conference are second-to-none.”
Blount, Kosobucki and their teammates got to experience the 2019 WIAA Division 2 state baseball tournament at Fox Cities Stadium as underclassmen.
Both will be leaders on next spring’s team.
“You cherish those moments like we got to experience two years ago in Appleton,” Blount said. “I had an opportunity to play at state in both sports. You don’t know if you’ll get back there or if you’ll be able to play a game or have a season. I have a greater appreciation for what we are all going through and appreciate everything I have.”
Because of COVID-19, student-athletes and parents have had to adjust to policy change, which includes playing in front of no or limited fans.
Fortunately, for Blount and Kosobucki, West De Pere was one of a limited number of schools in the area to allow fall sports to occur.
“My parents have been a huge support mechanism during my high school career,” said Blount. “I don’t take their love or support for granted. There are lots of people out there who might not have that to fall back on. I’m blessed they have attended hundreds of games and will continue to do so, even after I leave West De Pere.”