Nieport to be honored on Senior Night

ST. HENRY - The St. Henry boys basketball team will unveil its new sixth starter on Friday night against New Bremen.

And he will be ready to lay the smack down when he steps onto the court.

Senior Jacob Nieport, an avid supporter of hoops and professional wrestling, will be announced by "Voice of the Skins" Josh Link as St. Henry's honorary sixth man on Senior Night and make his game debut at Redskin Gymnasium.

"Heck yeah!" Nieport said, when asked a few weeks ago if he wanted to play in a game.

Nieport, son of Ruth and the late Terry Nieport, is a student with special needs who has been a regular at St. Henry's basketball practice and games since his sophomore year.

"We had a meeting with Jacob's mom during his sophomore year and just talked about avenues for him to relieve some of his energy by being around some other young men," St. Henry coach and high school principal Eric Rosenbeck said. "We thought basketball might be a good avenue, so we tried it - and it was an instant connection. It worked out perfectly from the first day. It's been really good for Jacob, but even more importantly, I think it's been great for our coaches and our players."

Nieport has reported to St. Henry's practice nearly every day since his sophomore year and has loved every second of it.

"Jacob definitely loves the team and all that goes with basketball," Ruth Nieport said. "Most days when I bring him to practice, he hurries through the gym doors with a loud 'Hi, Team.' This has been a very positive experience for Jacob, and being part of the basketball team is a blessing in many ways. We are very thankful to Mr. Rosenbeck, all the staff, and the players for all they have done. They are all special."

He's become known for his routine, energy and love of WWE Smackdown.

He begins with his afternoon candy bar and Gatorade and then you may find him shooting baskets, selecting music to play over the loud speakers or playing Smackdown on Rosenbeck's iPad.

"He just brings energy every day," senior basketball player Tyler Schlarman said. "He likes Smackdown. He likes the iPad, especially. He likes playing whatever songs he wants and he likes blaring the horn whenever he wants. You always know he's around."

"Being around Jacob the past few years has been exciting," senior basketball player Clayton Heitkamp said. "He's been the life of about every practice. It's just really fun to be around him."

Rosenbeck expressed gratitude to New Bremen coach Adam Dougherty and athletic director Gary Jones for allowing this to happen on Senior Night.

"He's a really cool kid and he's been really great for our program," Rosenbeck said. "I'm happy he's going to get the opportunity to do this."