Scalcucci making more good memories at Wesleyan

Jack Scalcucci is saving his best for last - and that's saying something considering how good everything has gone up to this point.

Scalcucci, a 2006 Batavia grad who starred at wide receiver on the football field and helped the basketball team go 27-2 in his senior season, caught 9 passes for 116 yards in Illinois Wesleyan's 41-35 win in double overtime over Wabash last Saturday in the first round of the Division III playoffs.

The biggest of those catches came in the second overtime, a 30-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-15 play to win the game.

Now a senior at Illinois Wesleyan, Scalcucci will try to extend his career one more week when the Titans play at No. 2-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater at 12 p.m. today. The Warhawks (11-0) were 70-7 winners over Lakeland in their first playoff game.

"The game last week was the most exciting athletic game I had ever taken part in," Scalcucci wrote by e-mail while home over the Thanksgiving break. "It definitely was the highlight of my athletic career here at Wesleyan. With how far this program has come since my arrival freshman year this victory in the playoffs easily makes it the finest moment of my career."

Scalcucci had plenty of big moments at Batavia, the best he said coming his junior season in basketball in their regional opener against Waubonsie Valley.

A No. 11 seed and heavy underdog, Scalcucci hit a 3-pointer to force overtime and then the game-winner in OT to lift the Bulldogs in the first of three straight upsets to reach the East Aurora sectional championship game.

"Both were great games but the feeling after the game last week is something very tough to beat," Scalcucci said. "All the players rushing the field and all the fans running on the field was definitely a memory I will keep forever."

Scalcucci has equally found memories of growing up and being part of the athletic programs at Batavia. That has only become more clear to him after trading stories with the friends he's made in college.

"Looking back at playing for Batavia High I realize how special it was to play for a community that supports its high school athletics so well," Scalcucci said. "When I tell my friends stories of playing in front of thousands of people for every football game or thousands of people coming to East Aurora to watch our basketball playoff game our senior year I realize how special it was. Most people don't realize how special a community Batavia is and how well supported the players are as well as how much tradition is present."

Scalcucci has saved his best for last at Wesleyan. After catching 51 passes for 688 yards and 4 touchdowns from 2006-2008, Scalcucci enters today's playoff game with 53 catches for 753 yards and 10 scores in his senior year.

Those numbers earned him a spot on the CCIW second team.

"My four years at Wesleyan have been everything I expected them to be and more," Scalcucci said. "I came into Wesleyan looking for a good athletic program with an equally matching academic program for my major. The community, coaching staff and friends here have made this the best college decision I could have made. The friendships, connections, and memories that I have made here will last me the rest of my life."

Scalcucci said he knows the Titans have their hands full today against Whitewater, the defending national runners-up.

But it's been a special season for Illinois Wesleyan, picked fourth in the always tough CCIW in the preseason. The Titans have gone 10-1, with the only loss 19-13 to Millikin. They beat Augustana 7-0, North Central 28-22 and Wheaton College 20-17.

"We are the underdogs this week, but we have been the underdogs this entire season," Scalcucci said. "So this position of no one believing in us besides ourselves is something that we are used to and almost welcome. No matter what happens this week I think it's going to be a great game. They are a great team but I think we have a great team as well."

One of six senior co-captains for the Titans, Scalcucci is majoring in biology with a pre-med curriculum.

Athletics have been good to Scalcucci, but he's been just as good in return. He's played hard, respected the games, his teammates, coaches and opponents. He's balanced all the time practicing and playing by working just as hard in the classroom.

And he's got some advice for all the young athletes around the area who are doing now what he was just a few short years ago - time goes fast.

"High school was a great four years, but I realize that it goes very quickly," Scalcucci said. "I try to stay in contact with my coaches from high school the best I can, and I try to catch games when I get home. I will always support the Bulldogs. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog. I truly enjoyed all four years in the halls, on the field, and on the court at Batavia High School."

jlemon@dailyherald.com