17-year-old Mika Wallentowitz has suddenly found himself in the spotlight, causing quite a stir. Here’s what the school administration and teachers are doing now to support him.
Schalke’s young soccer player Mika Wallentowitz is currently living his dream. The 17-year-old was once again in the starting lineup for FC Schalke 04 in the second-division match against Preußen Münster. Normally, he’s one of the key players on the U19 team, which has already qualified early for the main round of the German Championship in the DFB Youth League.
How is Mika Wallentowitz handling this exciting situation? How can the Berger Feld Comprehensive School—where the talented young player plans to earn his vocational high school diploma in a few months—step in to support him? And what kind of arrangements are in place between Schalke 04 and the school, which is located within sight of the Veltins-Arena?
Mario Sommerfeld, who has been principal of the DFB Elite School of Sports in Gelsenkirchen for a year and a half, explains: “We’re a school for everyone, but we’re also here to create the conditions that allow students to successfully balance their academic education with professional sports. That’s embedded in the DNA of the Berger Feld Comprehensive School.”
Sebastian Husemeyer, SEK II soccer coordinator at GE Berger Feld, explains: “We’re in contact with Mika Wallentowitz’s mother. Naturally, the parents are wondering how Mika is handling the fact that he’s now been with the pros several times. But fundamentally, I see him as a very down-to-earth, reliable young man who is also grounded by his family and sticks to his commitments.”
Mika Wallentowitz remains down-to-earth despite his rapid rise
Husemeyer continues: “Mika is just a cool guy with a strong character. Those are good prerequisites. I don’t get the impression that he’s losing touch with reality. Mika Wallentowitz is expected to graduate with his specialized high school diploma this summer. Then he’ll be able to focus entirely on soccer.”
Right now, the young soccer player is the talk of the town. Mike Dierig, general coordinator at Berger Feld Comprehensive School: “Suddenly, Mika has to sign autographs here at school. Things have definitely changed. He already stands out with his curly hair and tattoos. But now his fame has risen even further.”
Dierig has been around long enough to realistically assess that moments of glory are sometimes short-lived. “It’s also possible that Mika Wallentowitz will slip back into the background. Everyone now expects great things from him when he plays for the U19 team—and then he’ll have to work extra hard right off the bat because he’s already made a name for himself,” says Dierig.
Berger Feld Comprehensive School Supports Soccer Players Juggling Dual Commitments
Kevin Kisyna, who serves as the SEK 1 soccer coordinator at Berger Feld Comprehensive School, also tries to put himself in the players’ shoes: “Mika is kind of caught between a rock and a hard place right now. On the one hand, he’s growing into his responsibilities, but on the other hand, he also has to live up to the expectations of Schalke’s U19 coach, Norbert Elgert.”
Principal Mario Sommerfeld points out that “these young athletes invest a great deal.” Sommerfeld explains: “They have no free time; they have to cope with the dual demands.” What can the Berger Feld Comprehensive School do about this? “We can give the young soccer players who attend our school a lot to help them in the future, but they have to play on their own,” explains Mario Sommerfeld.
Schalke 04 and GE Berger Feld Discuss Mika Wallentowitz’s Future
The partnership between Schalke 04 and GE Berger Feld has been in place for 25 years. Many processes have settled into a routine. Mike Dierig: “But as soon as a student enters the professional ranks, that’s when it starts: That’s when things get hectic.”
In a meeting with Schalke representatives Youri Mulder (Director of Professional Soccer), Mario Grevelhörster (Administrative Head of Licensing), and Till Beckmann (Organizational Head of Knappenschmiede), the Berger Feld Comprehensive School explored the goals for talented player Mika Wallentowitz and the next steps.
Mike Dierig explains: “We receive the professional training schedules from Schalke. Schalke receives Mika Wallentowitz’s class schedule from us. As a school, we have to ensure that Mika gets the best possible education. The pressure on the boy is currently enormous. The responsibility for both Schalke and us is enormous.”
Sebastian Husemeyer sees “a great deal of dedication and passion” in the support provided to young soccer players who juggle school and competitive sports. “It worked out great in the past with the two students, Assan Ouédraogo and Fabian Reese, who were able to take the next step at Schalke. Mertcan Ayhan first graduated from high school and then joined Schalke’s professional team,” says Husemeyer, noting: “At 17, it’s similarly early for Mika, but it involves a considerable amount of extra effort and a balancing act—one that will certainly lead to success in the end.”