Former athlete returns to coach: named to hall of fame

The Huskies 34-23 win over Northfield on Friday was made even a little sweeter for fans with the induction of five former athletes into the Owatonna High School Athletics Hall of Fame. 
Among the inductees were former Huskies Coach Ed Draheim, 1982 graduate Jody Neuleib-Young, 1986 graduate Scott Kostelecky, 2000 graduate Mike Lundstrom and 1999 graduate and current Running Backs Coach Matt Skala. 
Skala made quite a name for himself as a student at Owatonna and not  just in football. Skala lettered nine times between football, baseball and basketball, was named All-State in football and baseball and led the Huskies to the Prep Bowl finals his senior year.  
“He’s one of the very finest players who’s ever played here,” said football Coach Jeff Williams. “He was just a stallion, a great team leader and an awful lot of the reason we went to the Prep Bowl finals in 1998.” 
Just as Skala left a lasting impact on Owatonna, the high school left one on him as well. 
“All of the programs I participated in meant the world to me,” said Skala. “You grow up and get excited to play with friends. You have dreams and goals. You want to be the best you can, so you train hard. It just means a lot to represent the blue and silver and give it your all.”
With the lessons he’d learned, Skala graduated from Owatonna headed to the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire to become a police officer. That plan, however, never came to fruition, and with college sports behind him, Skala decided to begin coaching.  
After a short time at Eau Claire Regis High School, Skala found himself back home in Owatonna teaching special education and intermediate algebra at the high school and coaching football and baseball.  
“It’s special,” said Skala of the return. “All three of my [high school] head coaches either coach with me or are still friends. I never guessed that my coaches would have been my best friends. It means a lot.” 
Williams agreed, adding, “It’s kind of fun, because we had a guy who went into the hall of fame who I coached with and two kids who I coached. Matt being on our staff is just a really neat deal — to go from being our captain and leading rusher to being the running back’s coach. It’s just neat having that coach-player relationship evolve into a friendship.”
Skala added that it›s wonderful to be back in the town where he has many family roots.  “I’m not taking anything for granted, and I’m representing Owatonna the best I can.”
Now as the running backs coach, Skala continues to pass on the things that were taught to him.  
“There’s a lot of lessons,” said Skala. “Football is one of those sports that’s grueling. It’s a lot of hard work and very physical. There’s a lot of great moments and a lot of moments you ask, ‘What am I doing? Why is this happening to me?’ The thing I love about football is that there is a new play every 20-25 seconds. If something bad happens, erase what happened. Treat every next play as your best.”
With records on the school walls and a collegiate career behind him, Skala knows just how quickly these games and memories come and pass for his athletes. 
“Enjoy this time,” said Skala. “Athletic careers are short. Take advantage of it and have fun.” 
Skala was reminded of just how fast those days pass by as he stepped onto the field to be honored as one of the newest members of the Owatonna High School Athletics Hall of Fame.  
“I’m humbled,” said Skala. “You see the list of people in the hall of fame, and a lot of those guys or gals you grew up watching or read about or played with. I’m completely humbled to be part of the process. My name goes on a plaque, but so many people are attached this honor - my parents and coaches. There is no way I could be here without that love and support.”