Punter seeks to give back by encouraging kids to stay fit

It’s a passion he’s hoping to pass on to future students as a teacher and coach.

“I want to be a health and physical education teacher because our nation’s youth is extremely obese and overweight,” he said. “I want to change that. I want to become a teacher.”

Naslund played baseball, football and basketball as a high schooler at Champlin Park High School and carried on his skills to be a punter with the St. Cloud State University Huskies. This fall he earned the football team’s Special Teams Player of the Year Award.

“That was a big accomplishment,” he said. “It was pretty awesome to win that.”

Off the field, Naslund is finding success in his classes as a health and physical education major.

He’s done a few field experiences, including a stint in a 9-12^th grade physical education classroom at Rocori High School.

“It’s really fun,” he said. “They like to be active when they’re that age.”

The professors at St. Cloud State do a good job preparing students for what to expect in the classroom, Naslund said.

The classes have been good. Some have been pretty challenging, and the professors are approachable and good about answering questions and getting back to students on time, he said.

Naslund transferred to St. Cloud State from Black Hills State University in South Dakota to be closer to his family.

“It’s a lot better for me here,” he said. “It’s a great atmosphere. I like the people and the coaches, the players — and it’s a great place to be.”

During the football season, Naslund enjoys working with his teammates and coaches to put on a show for the fans at Husky Stadium.

“The football team is really fun,” he said. “We’ve got a really great group of guys. We work really hard.”

Husky Stadium is a special place to play because it has a nice view of the river and gets some big crowds on game days.

“It’s always pretty fun,” he added. “It gets pretty loud running through the tunnel. Game days are really fun.”

Outside of football and classes, Naslund has had a chance to give back to the university and incoming students through volunteering with the Husky Haulers to welcome new students to campus during Huskies First Four — the first four days when new students move into their residence halls and explore campus.

Husky Haulers are made up of student athletes and volunteers who help new students and their parents have a good introduction to campus by helping them move into their residence halls and get settled on campus.

As a Husky Hauler, Naslund has helped freshmen move their belongings into their new home on campus and helped them set up bunk beds.

“It’s really helpful for the parents and the students, he said. “… It makes things a little less stressful.”