Completed Event: Football versus Illinois State on August 30, 2025 , Win , 35, to, 3
Final
Football
35
vs Illinois State
3
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Finding a Perfect Fit
December 16, 2007 | Football
NORMAN, Okla. -- As an Edmond Memorial graduate and a top high school prospect out of Oklahoma, Dane Zaslaw had many options to pick from when it came to playing football and getting an education.
Although he grew up 40 miles from the University of Oklahoma, die hard allegiance was not on his mind when he was picking where to go to college. With his parents going to different colleges, there was no pressure on Zaslaw to pick a particular school.
“Luckily, I was able to make a decision about a university that was the best for me on the field and off the field and Oklahoma was the best fit,” Zaslaw said.
Although Zaslaw had the opportunity to go to Louisiana State and Texas A&M, he chose the University of Oklahoma because of what he saw in the university as a whole. An Edmond native, Zaslaw was able to see what he wanted out of Oklahoma without taking a recruiting visit.
His family taught the importance of an education, and Zaslaw knew that he had to pick a university that would let him use his athletic abilities as well as his abilities in the classroom. He understood that a college education would take him as far as he wanted to go in life.
“Compared to the other schools I was looking at, OU, for me, had better academic standards. It looks better graduating from OU than any other school,” Zaslaw said. “Football only takes you so far and a good education takes you farther. It was very important that I make a decision taking that into account as well.”
Zaslaw understood throughout the years growing up that his parents always cared about his education and that their son was only one hit away from not having a football career any longer.
“My parents instilled in me the importance of an education and they are glad to see me do well on and off the field,” Zaslaw said. “They are more proud of my accomplishments off the field than on the field.”
His father, Jim, owns his own oil exploration company in Oklahoma City and hopes that his son understands what an education can bring his son in today's business market. His dad played football and knows that injuries can occur at any time on the field.
Competing in baseball, track and soccer, helped Zaslaw build a strong work ethic and mental toughness. The agility and quickness needed for soccer forced Zaslaw to work hard to develop those skills and he found he could apply them to other sports as well.
“The athletic abilities that a soccer player needs helped me keep my coordination as I grew bigger,” Zaslaw said.
Hard work and skill development doesn't stop when Zaslaw leaves the field of competition. As an entrepreneurship major in the Price College of Business, Zaslaw's hard work will earn him a degree.
“The good thing is, I have a lot of options,” says Zaslaw. “We will see where they take me.”
After earning his undergraduate degree from the business college, he will work toward his master's of business administration at OU.
Zaslaw has worked hard to get back on to the playing field after dealing with injuries for a couple of years. A highly recruited linebacker in high school, Zaslaw moved to fullback at OU. In 2005, he played a backup role to former Sooner fullback J. D. Runnels. He has improved each year and had his most productive campaign in 2007, including scoring his first career touchdown on a nine-yard reception earlier this season against Miami.
When it comes to relationships off the field, Zaslaw has always been socially inclined, according to his father. His roommate at OU, Lewis Baker, is a senior linebacker from Carrolton, Texas. Zaslaw is also very close to his parents. The love that is shared in the family is quite obvious and it is easy to see where he learned the benefit of hard work and an outgoing personality. His parents were always willing to give their son what he needed to succeed in life as long as he worked hard at everything.
Working hard has paid off for Zaslaw as he is a part of what may become an explosive offense this season. His hard work off the field will also earn him a degree from the University of Oklahoma -- both things that make his parents proud.
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Story by Matt Wilson | OU Athletics Media Relations
Although he grew up 40 miles from the University of Oklahoma, die hard allegiance was not on his mind when he was picking where to go to college. With his parents going to different colleges, there was no pressure on Zaslaw to pick a particular school.
“Luckily, I was able to make a decision about a university that was the best for me on the field and off the field and Oklahoma was the best fit,” Zaslaw said.
Although Zaslaw had the opportunity to go to Louisiana State and Texas A&M, he chose the University of Oklahoma because of what he saw in the university as a whole. An Edmond native, Zaslaw was able to see what he wanted out of Oklahoma without taking a recruiting visit.
His family taught the importance of an education, and Zaslaw knew that he had to pick a university that would let him use his athletic abilities as well as his abilities in the classroom. He understood that a college education would take him as far as he wanted to go in life.
 Hard work and skill development doesn't stop when Zaslaw leaves the field. |
Zaslaw understood throughout the years growing up that his parents always cared about his education and that their son was only one hit away from not having a football career any longer.
“My parents instilled in me the importance of an education and they are glad to see me do well on and off the field,” Zaslaw said. “They are more proud of my accomplishments off the field than on the field.”
His father, Jim, owns his own oil exploration company in Oklahoma City and hopes that his son understands what an education can bring his son in today's business market. His dad played football and knows that injuries can occur at any time on the field.
Competing in baseball, track and soccer, helped Zaslaw build a strong work ethic and mental toughness. The agility and quickness needed for soccer forced Zaslaw to work hard to develop those skills and he found he could apply them to other sports as well.
“The athletic abilities that a soccer player needs helped me keep my coordination as I grew bigger,” Zaslaw said.
Hard work and skill development doesn't stop when Zaslaw leaves the field of competition. As an entrepreneurship major in the Price College of Business, Zaslaw's hard work will earn him a degree.
“The good thing is, I have a lot of options,” says Zaslaw. “We will see where they take me.”
After earning his undergraduate degree from the business college, he will work toward his master's of business administration at OU.
Zaslaw has worked hard to get back on to the playing field after dealing with injuries for a couple of years. A highly recruited linebacker in high school, Zaslaw moved to fullback at OU. In 2005, he played a backup role to former Sooner fullback J. D. Runnels. He has improved each year and had his most productive campaign in 2007, including scoring his first career touchdown on a nine-yard reception earlier this season against Miami.
When it comes to relationships off the field, Zaslaw has always been socially inclined, according to his father. His roommate at OU, Lewis Baker, is a senior linebacker from Carrolton, Texas. Zaslaw is also very close to his parents. The love that is shared in the family is quite obvious and it is easy to see where he learned the benefit of hard work and an outgoing personality. His parents were always willing to give their son what he needed to succeed in life as long as he worked hard at everything.
Working hard has paid off for Zaslaw as he is a part of what may become an explosive offense this season. His hard work off the field will also earn him a degree from the University of Oklahoma -- both things that make his parents proud.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Story by Matt Wilson | OU Athletics Media Relations
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