Winona, Minn. - Former Winona State wide receiver
Will Claussen was looking for a unique way to enlist the help of his brother Henry to serve as best man in his wedding. Little did he realize that capturing the moment on digital video and posting to his Twitter feed would result in the story eclipsing four million views on Twitter.
Henry Claussen has Downs Syndrome and was one of Will's biggest fans during his playing days at Winona State; Will's unique approach to completing his wedding party led to Henry serving as best man to an All-Warrior wedding.
Claussen is engaged to fellow WSU graduate Alyssa (Aj) Johns, who served as the camera person for the video.
On the field, Will suited up for the Warriors between 2014 and 2018, playing four straight seasons after an initial redshirt freshman year. The Mankato, Minn. product appeared in 32 games over his career for head coach
Tom Sawyer. His career highs included a 138-yard effort against Minnesota-Duluth in 2016 and a career-best grab of 55 yards in a 2017 game against Bemidji State. In total, Claussen had five touchdown receptions in his Warrior playing days, as well a two-point conversion catch.
For a news-weary world, the Claussen proposal video provided a much-needed lift of positivity. National news outlets and celebrity influencers such as ESPN, World News Tonight with David Muir, Rex Chapman and even Rocky film star Carl Weathers, shared the special story across the social media stratosphere. Will and Aj have a July 2021 wedding date planned, giving Henry some time to pick out his tuxedo and plan his speech. For the 24-year-old Will Claussen, his brother Henry and finance Alyssa, their moment has become shared with the world.
For the original video post, head to
@KeepItClaussy. Please
use this link to view the
World News Tonight with David Muir feature story.
1)
What was your major at Winona State and where are you currently working? - "I was a Mass Communications Advertising Major with a Minor in Professional Selling. I currently work in Golden Valley, MN for Northwestern Lumber Association as their regional field representative for the Midwest."
2)
Did Henry get a chance to see you play during your WSU career? If so, what's it like to have him in the stands, cheering you on? - "Henry came to the majority of my collegiate games and can definitely be described as a super fan. It was amazing seeing him in the stands but even more awesome hearing his voice through the crowd. He got to do the honorary coin toss my senior year which was special."
3)
What was Aj's major and where is she working in her field? Were the two of you in any classes together at WSU? - "Aj majored as an academic and behavioral strategist and developmental cognitive disabilities. Aj and I actually met in a class titled Dance Appreciation. She was a very good high school dancer but I always give her a hard time because I got a better grade in the class!"
4)
Henry will likely be giving the 'best man' speech next summer; any preview of what you think it might contain? - "Henry has been asked about his speech in many tv live interviews and his answer has eventually become pretty simple. He doesn't want to stress about it too much so he's just going to give it from his heart and enjoy the moment. He gave a speech at my sister's wedding and there's already a buzz stirring in my family about his next one."
5)
Do you have a favorite football memory from your time here? - "I have many different favorite memories at Winona. On the field, beating my hometown Mankato State a couple times was special. But the memories I cherish most was the grind with my teammates leading up to those big games. Getting to know some of my greatest friends while pushing each other ultimately made us all appreciate each other even more. We as a team always rallied around trying to give back to the community as well, Coach Sawyer was a role model for all of us in that sense. I was on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, otherwise known as SAAC Around WSU. This provided me with amazing opportunities to volunteer by reading to kids, trick or treating for canned goods for the local food shelf on Halloween, etc."
6)
You mentioned on the phone that some media companies have offered you significant financial incentives for exclusive rights to the video. Your family have chosen to keep it public and available for all to see; what is your reasoning for making that decision? "Well to be completely honest, when these companies reached out I didn't exactly know how to take it. I reached out to my parents who basically gave me their blessing to do whatever makes the most sense to me. I felt and knew the right thing to do was not to profit from this but to let it be shared as much as possible. We were not in it for the money, and although it was cool we were not in it for the fame or recognition either. We simply wanted to share our positive and happy moment with as many needing it as possible. There's so much negativity in this world right now, I just know whenever I'm feeling down Henry always cheers me up, so I hope it made a similar effect on many others out there."
7)
Anything else you'd like to share with the Warrior faithful? - "I'd like Warrior faithful to know there is still good in this world. There's amazing people everywhere, you just have to look for them."
For the most current news in Warrior Athletics, please visit:
www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and
@WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words:
Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
Media Contact:
Pete Watkins, Director of Athletic Communications | Ph: 507.457.5577 | Email: pwatkins@winona.edu
