South Dakota's all-conference forward Kellee Willer's passion for helping people both on and off the pitch began at an early age, was enhanced throughout high school and has stayed with her as a Coyote. It's what led her to pursue a double major in elementary and special education and shaped what she wants to be when she graduates this winter.
 
"My high school has a special needs program that's really inclusive and had a positive impact on me," said Willer, an academic all-district honoree who carries a 3.97 GPA. "We were around a lot of special education kids, and I grew a passion for being involved. They're always so happy and pure. What could be detrimental to someone else, they just blow it off and have so much fun."
 
Early in her collegiate years, Willer decided to study teaching because of the direct impact she knows she can make.
 
"I want to go the teaching route because it's more hands on, and you can help be a part of the development stage," Willer explained. "That phase is something I want to be a part of for kids."
 
Michael Thomas, who has been Willer's coach at USD these last two seasons, felt the influence Kellee could have on a group of people right away when he started with the program.
 
"Kellee's been great from day one," he said. "As a new coach, you can come in with new ideas, and players can either fight you or buy in. Kellee is someone who buys into whatever she's doing whether it's soccer, academics or getting involved with something like the Special Olympics. You know you're going to get a complete buy-in from her, which is why she is so successful and why people want to be around the things she's doing."
 
In learning about her interests, Thomas directed her towards the group that helps run the Special Olympics that takes place in Vermillion each summer.
 
"It was something I knew Kellee was looking to do professionally down the line, and she's the kind of person you're willing to put your name behind," Thomas said. "All I really did was mention it to Corey [Jenkins] and let Kellee take care of the rest. I was nothing but proud of the work that she put in, and how she acquitted herself, both for USD athletics and for the women's soccer team."
 
Willer felt the event proved her passion right, as she saw first-hand the benefits of Special Olympics. She was a member on the Special Olympics' committee and handed out awards to all the participants.
 
"The connections I had really helped out and I got to present the awards to all the participants," she said. "It was a long two days and I was tired, but it was so exciting.
 
"They could have been in last place and were the happiest competitors there. Those same athletes would be so happy for the people that won. I loved to see that aspect of it."


 
Taking the patience from an event like the Special Olympics has helped Willer in her senior season with her teammates. The Coyotes were coming off a 1-0 win at Fort Wayne a week ago and entered a crucial three-game home stand this past weekend. Willer stands as the only Coyote with double-digit goals and assists during her career.
 
"I've been able to translate the patience from those experiences to the soccer field," she said. "Just knowing that if something isn't coming right away, to work through it and stay even keel.
 
"A lot of them can't do what I can do and it motivates me. I know they'd love to do what I do. Special Olympics is a great thing they get to do, but they don't get these opportunities. It just motivates me to not take what I have in front of me for granted."
 
Willer is currently student teaching in the second grade at nearby Elk Point-Jefferson. Last spring, she student-taught middle and high school special education.
 
"Teachers constantly have a lot going on," Willer said. "It's more than just an eight-to-three job with summers off. It takes a lot of work.
 
"I can handle a lot more than I thought I could. A lot of things have been thrown at me, and I think I've handled them and pushed through them."
 
WIller is the ideal student-athlete, says Thomas. He feels her drive to go beyond what is asked of her, in all aspects, backs his statement.
 
"Kellee is everything that you want a student-athlete to be," he said. "She is driven to perform on the field, and she's always there to help the team or the athletic department when you need something extra. And to top it off, she's a great student."
 
The Fort Collins, Colo., native sees herself heading back home after school to focus on a life dedicated to education, and hopefully guiding young soccer players.
 
"I see myself in Fort Collins as a teacher," Willer said of her future. "Hopefully I have a family and I'm doing what I love. I hope by then I could be involved in coaching soccer, through a school or whatnot."
 
In the meantime, Willer would like to help chaperon the Coyotes to their second Summit League Tournament berth in program history.
 
"We'd love to make the Tournament," she said. "I'd love to be a part of something like that. We need to hunker down to accomplish that, but we're capable."