Helmsman reporter Alisa Gardner talks this week with junior quarterback Scott Scherer, the son of former Tiger head football coach Rip Scherer, who was fired after the 2000 season after going 22-44 in six seasons.
Scott, who is entering his final season of eligibility at The U of M, has never made a grade lower than an A during his collegiate career and currently leads all collegiate football players in consecutive semesters (seven) with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Scott’s closest competition comes from Kent State’s Michael Griffis, who has maintained a 4.0 GPA for five straight semesters.
Scherer has already received a bachelor’s degree in finance from The U of M and is currently working on a second undergraduate degree in international business.
AG: Being No. 1 academically among all collegiate football players has got to be a big honor. What keeps you motivated to keep your grades up?
SS: In high school, I always made straight As and I thought it would be harder in college to keep it up. But once I had done it for a couple of semesters, I knew I had to keep it up.
AG: Everyone knows you as Scott Scherer, Rip Scherer’s son, and now they know you for making good grades. Besides those two things, how would you like people to remember you?
SS: I would want them to remember me as a quality person. As someone who gives back to the community and helps others when in need.
AG: Who, or what, has been your biggest inspiration?
SS: My mom and dad are my biggest inspirations because they pushed me to always do the very best that I could. They taught me to love myself and when I looked in the mirror, to be happy with what I saw. They also taught me to be independent and to work hard.
AG: How did it feel playing college football for your father?
SS: Playing for my dad was an interesting experience. It is something neither of us will ever forget. People thought I got preferential treatment because I was his son, but actually, I had to work extra hard and my father was harder on me.
AG: What are your goals for your last season of football?
SS: I just want to be able to contribute in any way possible, whether it be on the field or by just being a leader in other areas. I really want us the go to a bowl game this year because that is something that hasn’t been done in about 26 years.
AG: What are your future career plans?
SS: I hope to become a graduate assistant somewhere and eventually become a football coach, either on the college level or in the National Football League.
AG: If there is anything you could be doing right now besides going to school and playing football, what would it be?
SS: Nothing. Right now the path I have chosen is where I really want to be.
