NATCHITOCHES, La.- Jay Stroble Jr. (Mvskoke) has received a football scholarship at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He has been playing junior college football now for over two years.
“Playing in a division football has been one of my goals since I was a little kid, now that dream is finally coming true,” Stroble said.
Stroble’s degree is in general studies, but he eventually plans to shift his academic focus to electrical engineering.
Stroble typically plays center and any position on the offensive line.
Stroble’s current role model is anyone that has played in the National Football League (NFL).
“I’ve been playing since first grade, my dad was my coach in little league for first grade. After that first day of practice with pads on I came home and said ‘I finally found something I’m good at’. Ever since it’s what I love to do,” Stroble said.
During a past experience of playing on a team, he noticed that everybody is equal. “I’ve learned that everybody on the team from the top to the bottom, everyone is just as important and you have to treat everybody equally,” Stroble said.
His coach once said to his team,“Show up everyday and do your best. Your best might not be somebody else’s best, somebody might be better than you but it’s more about consistency. What you’re doing at the time, coming in everyday and getting better,”
Strobel’s daily routine for the summer is working out in the morning, taking online class sessions, then running afterward. Once the season starts it will consist of morning practice, in-person classes then practice again afterward.
During this time of managing his academics and focusing on football Stroble has been able to manage his time wisely. “Academics has always been kind of easy for me. Football really challenged me, that’s where I got to try and get better everyday,” Stroble said.
Ever since attending practices it has been an easy transition where Stroble has made new friends.
Stroble has never struggled with memorizing the football plays. “God blessed me with a great mind, I’m a quick learner,” Stroble said.
Stroble uses his spirituality as a source of strength to cope with the pressures that come with playing football. “I like to rely on God and Jesus, I feel like that really gets me through everything,” Stroble said.
Stroble has had major setbacks in his career, during high school he broke his femur playing football and in junior college (JUCO) he suffered a bad back injury: a herniated disc.
During his time recovering from a broken femur Stroble was in a wheelchair for eight months. He did not realize his back was still injured until he visited a doctor. Shortly after he underwent surgery, an operation he has since recovered from.
Stroble gave a piece of advice to anyone who may want to play in a football division. “I would say don’t quit, it’s not always going to be easy and there’s going to be times that you want to stop and you just want to turn it in but it’s worth it if you keep going,” Stroble said.
His motivation to keep pushing through is his goal to make it to the NFL and be able to provide for his family.
Stroble’s goal within the next few months is to work his way up to the top of the chart, and play in some of the seasonal games.
Great story