Trey Demler, Oshkosh West
Dennis Semrau, Wissports.net
Trey Demler, Oshkosh West, senior
Whenever Trey Demler takes a snap from center, winds up to throw a fastball or ignites a fast break in basketball, he is living a dream.
While growing up in Oshkosh, Demler played football, basketball, baseball and hockey. Although his parents, Joe and Christie, graduated from Oshkosh Lourdes, Trey knew where he wanted to compete when he got to high school.
“It was always my dream to play varsity basketball at Oshkosh West,” Demler said. “I love the crowds. In our gym, the bleachers are right on top of the court and it’s a great atmosphere. I always dreamed of competing there and had my heart set on that.”
Ironically, the 6-foot, 190-pound senior said his favorite sport growing up was always baseball. But he made a verbal commitment on Oct. 7 to attend North Dakota next year on a football scholarship.
That won’t change Demler’s plans to complete his high school career as a 10-time letterwinner – three each in football and basketball and four in baseball.
“My dad has always encouraged me to play three sports,” said Demler, whose father played football, basketball and baseball at Lourdes. “There was a point where I wanted to just focus on baseball. But he told me as long as you have the ability you only have four years of high school so there is no reason not to play three sports.”
His only regret was not being able to play prep hockey, too.
“I began playing hockey in kindergarten and wished I still could,” said Demler, a forward, who is limited to an occasional pick-up game during the winter. “I have friends that play on our high school team. It’s an awesome game. I wouldn’t give up basketball for it. But it’s definitely something I still love to play.”
Competing in multiple sports has honed his leadership and social skills, Demler said.
“I learned how to lead by example and to be a verbal leader. I’ve had very good grades in school but one thing about being in three sports is that it’s kept me out of trouble,” he said. “That’s always in the back of my mind. I always try to make the right decisions.”
Demler said competing in sports also teaches you to never give up. A two-year starter at quarterback in football, he is a guard in basketball and a pitcher and center fielder in baseball. “You learn how to compete and be a competitor,” he said. “You get in so many different situations in games and practice. You learn how to deal with pressure and how to compete in life.”
He reflected on a football game his junior year against Appleton North when West pulled off an upset victory.
“North was ranked high in the state and beat us by 50 the year before so people were saying that we shouldn’t even take the field,” he recalled. “We were down by six points with two seconds to go. I threw a touchdown pass and held for the extra point and we won by one point. That taught us not to assume anything; you can win on any given day.”
Demler has earned all-conference honors in football, played in a state tournament semifinal game in basketball and earned second-team all-state honors in baseball.
The thrill of competing and making plays keeps him coming back for more.
“I love being the center of attention,” he admitted. “That’s why I like playing quarterback and I like to pitch. I like being a leader and having the ball in my hands.”
Demler encourages others to avoid specializing in one sport in high school.
“Unless you are an elite athlete in one sport, it doesn’t make sense to specialize,” he said. “If you have the ability to compete in other sports, do it. You get to meet new people and have fun.”
Time out with Trey Demler
1 – Words to live by: “The impossible is nothing.”
2 – Role model: my dad, Joe.
3 -- My family also includes: mom, Christie, and older brother, Jake.
4 -- Favorite opponent: Kimberly
5 -- Favorite movie: Dumb and Dumber
6 – I wish I could play: hockey
7 – Favorite subject: Mathematics
8 – I want to meet: Brett Favre
9 -- Dream date: Kim Kardashian
10 – Did you know? I bat left-handed, golf left-handed and am a left-handed hockey player. But I throw and write right-handed.
