WSU Currents •
Winter 2012
5
“
I’ve been playing football since I was a little kid
and my parents used to bring me to Winona State
games,” said Austin. “It’s pretty cool to know that I
was here as a child and now I’m here actually suiting
up and playing.”
Scott couldn’t be more proud his son is continuing
on the Warrior spirit.
“
We let all of our kids make their own choices when
it came to where they would continue their educa-
tion. I did strategically save the WSU visit for last,
because I knew he was going to really love Coach
[
Tom] Sawyer and the school.” Scott and Sawyer, the
head Warriors’ head football coach, played together
when they were students at WSU.
Along with the Opfers, there are four other current
players whose fathers also played at WSU: Tyler
Speer, son of Hall of Fame member
Steve ’86
;
Rick
Lilla, son of
Richard
;
Derek Smidt, son of
Doyle ’86
;
and Jack Ihrke, son of
Bill ’87
.
Jack Ihrke’s grandfather,
Ahrley
,
also played for
the Warriors and is a member of the Athletic Hall
of Fame.
“
There’s a strong sense of tradition here. It’s a
great atmosphere to coach and to have
these great guys on the
field,” said Sawyer, whose
son, Tommy, also hit the grid-
iron for the Warriors.
“
We want our kids to have the
same experience we had,”
said Scott Opfer. “It’s great to
see the kids mature and play
at a higher level, while the old
dogs get to hang out telling
old Warrior war stories.” 
“
The games last only minutes,
but the memories last forever so you really have to
enjoy the journey. That’s my hope for my son.”
Austin echoed his father’s thoughts. “I really just
want to have as much fun as I can and make some
unforgettable memories during my years at Winona
State, stories that I can tell my old children about
and inspire them.”
When asked about his own children following in the
family tradition, Austin was optimistic that the tradi-
tion would continue. “I’m sure I’ll bring my kids back
to the field like my parents did with me. I’m sure
they’ll fall in love with the great school that’s part of
our family.”
For the
Opfer family
–
and several other WSU families –
athletics and Hall of Fame
membership is a family tradition.
Warrior football is a
family tradition for these
former players and their
sons: Steve ’86 and son
Tyler Speer, Doyle ’86 and
Derek Smidt, Scott ’84 and
Austin Opfer, Richard and
Rick Lilla, Tom ’83/’89 and
Tommy Sawyer, and Bill ’87
and Jack Ihrke.