Rookie Angel

Schaper-Kotter could have been a Rookie of the Year Candidate with the new-look BC Angels.

As the BC Angels were prepared to defend their LFL championship, the roster had brought with it many new faces. Among those ready to have helped BC claim another title, Deanna Schaper-Kotter had the potential to emerge as an integral component of the offense. Given number 11, she was to contribute as a running back and tight end on offense, while contributing as a defensive end on the other side of the ball.

NOTE: Prior to the September 16 announcement that the 2013 LFL Canada season was postponed until 2014, Deanna Schaper-Kotter had spoken about her athletic career and the task of having to replace Stephanie Manou.

Having played in several sports throughout the years, her life-long love of sport should translate into a splendid rookie campaign with the Angels. While football is a new experience, this multi-talented athlete has family ties to the gridiron.

“I have always had a passion for football, my brother Robert has played throughout his whole life and currently plays professional football for the Helsinki Wolverines in Finland.

Coach (Clayton) Campbell, as well as most of the coaching staff has coached Robert, so he was the one who encouraged me to try-out for the BC Angels.”

Her most recent sporting endeavor involved competing at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport level in volleyball. Competing with Acadia University, she earned the Coaches Award in her senior season.

“I had heard a lot about the BC Angels last year, but I was finishing my degree at Acadia University in Nova Scotia on a varsity volleyball scholarship. I have always enjoyed contact sports; my main sports growing up were basketball, lacrosse, volleyball and soccer.

“I am still playing lacrosse; our team recently won the Provincial Senior Women’s Championship. I have also wrestled as well as competed in track and field, and I am also the world’s biggest Dallas Cowboys fan.”

With her competitive background in volleyball and lacrosse, Schaper-Kotter understands the essence of teamwork. Armed with maturity and a desire to learn, it is part of a winning attitude that makes her a very coachable athlete.

“I was very excited to have the opportunity to try-out this season. There is an enormous amount to learn. Yet, I am lucky to have a fantastic coaching staff, as well as experienced veterans that have helped me and continue to help me learn this game.”

Consisting of a remarkable breadth of sporting experience, it would be an understatement to say that Schaper-Kotter has tremendous self-discipline and a motivation to succeed. Although she is in her prime as an athlete, she is articulate, intelligent and graceful; great qualities that should yield remarkable results for the Angels.

“Throughout all the years of playing a variety of different sports I was very fortunate to win many individual awards and team championships; this would never have happened if it was not for all of the excellent coaches I had the good fortune to play for, as well as playing with some very talented teammates.

I know that everything I have learned such as the jubilation of victory and the agony of defeat, great coaching and being a team player have prepared me for football.”

Competing at the provincial level in Canada’s national sport of lacrosse in British Columbia, Schaper-Kotter is ready for the bruising, smash-mouth world of LFL football. The physical aspects of lacrosse, combined with the endurance required to run back and forth across the field have only made her more physically prepared and mentally tougher to compete against the likes of Calgary, Regina and Saskatoon.

“Our senior women’s lacrosse team just finished an undefeated season culminating in a Provincial Championship. The last three games of the tournament were probably the most intense hard hitting games of my life. I had the bruises to prove it.

Lacrosse really prepared me for the physical challenge of playing football, I love hitting and I can take a hit as well, I have never shied away from contact.”

If one quality can define Schaper-Kotter’s experience in training camp, it is her humble nature. Understanding that despite her remarkable athletic accomplishments, her status as a rookie in the LFL keeps her grounded. With the opportunity to learn from the veterans, she shows a great amount of respect.

“All of the veterans have provided me with so much knowledge and I am lucky to learn from experienced players such as Mary-Anne Hanson, Kate Marshall, Heidi Nordby, Sara Leibl and Courtnee Clark.”

“I need to give a special mention to Stevi Schnoor, she is one the veterans that I have been trying to follow in her footsteps. Since we both play similar positions, she has been able to help me a lot. Stevi has also become a great friend of mine; some people say that we may have been twins separated at birth. We definitely have very similar personalities as well as a great work-ethic. We have even named ourselves the ‘Smash Sisters’.”

Replacing Stephanie Manou, who scored the first touchdown in LFL Canada history, as the Angels new running back is a demanding task for even the most seasoned athlete. Despite the expectation and pressure that may come with such a task, she accepts it with remarkable enthusiasm while acknowledging Manou’s impact.

“I have heard that I have some big shoes to fill; Stephanie Manou definitely made a huge impact last season as a running back. I feel very fortunate that I may be asked to fill those shoes, that being said the only pressure I feel is helping this team succeed.

Having been an athlete my entire life, I have always strived to be the best. I expect my coaches and teammates to count on me. I definitely feel that there is a lot expected of me this season, but it definitely does not scare me…it excites me!”

Motivated to win a championship, Schaper-Kotter’s past success at the provincial and national levels enables and empowers her to be able to succeed in LFL Canada. When discussing what it would take to bring a successive title to the Angels, she replied,

“I know that the BC Angels have a great shot at winning another Championship. One thing I have learned is that football is the ultimate team game; all of the pieces of the puzzle have to fit perfectly.

Of course you need talented athletes; they must be strong mentally as well as physically. You need a coaching staff that can devise a plan to utilize all of the strengths each athlete brings to the table. Another key is communication, players have to be able to talk to each other and the coaches have to be able to get their message through to the players as well.”

Having also volunteered with special needs children, as a minor coach and in fundraisers for breast cancer research, she is the ultimate team player and a welcome addition to the roster. Understanding the responsibilities of what it takes to make a team succeed, Deanna Schaper-Kotter is more than an athlete, she is also a role model for young women looking to accomplish their goals.

“I believe if things are not going as well as expected, both the players and coaches should be accountable and use constructive criticism to improve the team. Most importantly everyone must have fun. I have learned through experience that teams that enjoy playing together and get along will have more success.”

While Schaper-Kotter will not get that opportunity this season, her outlook on athletics and life makes her a remarkable building block on a new-look BC team. Despite the disappointment of Schaper-Kotter and the Angels fans, there is still something to play for.

A holiday tradition for LFL football, the BC Angels shall play the Seattle Mist in the Pacific Cup, the only inter-league match in LFL. While it is one of the biggest stages in LFL football, Schaper-Kotter has the skill, the grace and the tenacity to prove why she is worthy of competing on the gridiron.

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

Photo credit: Dean Guzman, Image obtained from: https://www.facebook.com/pages/BC-Angels/256400221106503

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

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