It wasn’t until midway through high school that Eddie Kasper got the opportunity to trade his ski poles and boots for football cleats and shoulder pads. In a few fast years, he’s gone from preferred walk-on to scholarship player at Illinois State University.
This Saturday, September 2, when the Redbird football team kicks off the season against the University of Dayton at Hancock Stadium, Kasper is a projected starter at wide receiver.
A competitive ski racer from age 12-18 growing up in Wisconsin and Illinois, Kasper learned to ski in Colorado on extended spring breaks. Ranked among the best skiers in the state as a teenager, he had an itch to play football. He also had the pedigree. His uncle, Kevin Kasper, also a walk-on in college, finished as one of the best all-time receivers at Iowa before playing several seasons in the NFL.
Kasper was home schooled his freshman and sophomore years, and football wasn’t an option in Illinois. It was a different story across the border, so he played his junior year at Burlington High School in Wisconsin. The season was, however, shortened due to COVID-19. Once he began playing, he went to Arizona to train with his uncle.
“He laid it out for me, all the small, little things, and we worked on my routes,” Kasper said. “He was a crafty player and one of the most unbelievable athletes on the planet. I’m a skinny dude, and he’s jacked, but he was able to teach me the ropes.”
Back home in the Chicago suburbs, Kasper finished his high school career playing at Wheaton Academy. That was a turning point.
“I had two good quarterbacks at Wheaton who threw me the ball,” Kasper said. “I had 37 catches for about 800 yards and scored 10 TDs. They just put me on the outside and let me run routes.”
“My favorite thing about playing here, honestly, is the fact that they gave a little guy like me a chance as a preferred walk-on. I just needed somebody to believe in me.”
Eddie Kasper
Eventually he caught the attention of the Illinois State staff and came for a visit. Wide receivers coach Mickey Turner said Kasper’s ability and his attitude make the former ski racer stand out.
“He’s quick as a cat, very humble, very smart, and he picks the game up very well, and he enjoys the game,” Turner said. “No matter the situation he doesn’t have a bad day.
“For being a young guy himself, he takes on the veteran mentor role for our other young guys. That’s rare, especially to do it when he was a redshirt freshman.”
Turner is not alone in his positive assessment of Kasper. Proof of that came when he was awarded a scholarship earlier this year.
“I found out in April at the end of spring ball,” Kasper said. “I was pretty excited. I called my mom and dad and Uncle Kev. It was pretty cool knowing that my coaches trusted me enough to spend that money on me.”
Kasper stands 5-9 and weighs 160 pounds and says he’s “not fast, just quick.” He describes himself as a player who understands the mental part of the sport.
“I’m a route runner and super smart, and I use that to my advantage,” he said. “I’m not going to wow you athletically, but I’m going to do my job, get the first down, and avoid the big contact.”
He watches a lot of film with Turner, who is someone he looks up to.
“He’s the best,” Kasper said. “He knows that I ask a lot of questions, but I want to be as good as I possibly can. I’m not athletic enough to make up for big mistakes.”
Before being redshirted as a freshman, Kasper saw some playing time and got a taste of the college game. He said being around the older players last year helped prepare him for this year.
“Now I get the chance to start and play more,” Kasper said. “I’m just ready to go play football. I’m all open ears and do as much listening as I can.”
When he’s not playing football or studying, he still loves skiing. But it’s not his top choice.
“Birding and photography are my thing since I was young,” Kasper said. “I always have a pair of binocs in my backpack.”
Now 21, Kasper started out on a biology track thinking he would follow his father into dentistry. But his career goals have changed, so he switched his major to digital film and media and wants to coach college football someday.
Kasper has come a long way from the ski hills of Wisconsin and the mountains of Colorado and loves that he’s close to home. It’s especially nice for his parents, Ed and Kelly, so that they can travel to his games easily. The best part has been finding a place where he can play the game he loves.
“My favorite thing about playing here, honestly, is the fact that they gave a little guy like me a chance as a preferred walk-on,” Kasper said. “I just needed somebody to believe in me.”
Tickets are available to see Kasper and his Redbird teammates host six home games this season. The opener, September 2, against Dayton, is Ag Day.
