Local Sports

Peshtigo’s Van Vooren joins Dallas Cowboys practice squad

St. Norbert College alumnus Mitch Van Vooren has been signed to the Dallas Cowboy’s practice squad as a tight end, the team announced earlier this week.

Van Vooren, a Peshtigo, Wis., native, played in the final pre-season game for the Cowboys, catching a 21-yard touchdown from veteran Sam Howell in a 27-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Friday. He previously signed with the New England Patriots to start the preseason, playing in a 13-13 tie against the Indianapolis Colts while catching one pass for four yards.

During his time at St. Norbert in De Pere, Wis., Van Vooren played in 22 games, catching 65 passes for 1,045 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference selection in 2024 following 10 touchdowns in 11 games. He was the fourth Green Knight to catch four touchdowns in a single game.

If Van Vooren is called up to the main roster, he would become the first former St. Norbert player since Ted Fritsch Jr. -- who played with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins from 1972 to 1979 -- to play in a regular-season NFL game.

After graduating from Peshtigo High School in 2019, Van Vooren spent four seasons competing in track and field at Marquette University. The NCAA's COVID-19 eligibility extension gave Van Vooren a chance to continue in athletics as he transferred to St. Norbert to pursue a master’s degree.

At Peshtigo, Van Vooren was a multi-sport standout in track and field, football, and basketball. During his career at Marquette, he set the school record in the 400-meter hurdles.

“Ever since my freshman year at Marquette, I was kind of planning on taking the football route,” Van Vooren told WFRV-TV. “Whether that meant trying out after I graduated or finding another opportunity, it was always in the back of my head.”