From Briar Cliff to the Super Bowl: Katie Wilke DeJean’s Journey from All-American Athlete to NFL Mom
As millions of fans gear up to watch Super Bowl LIX this Sunday, one Briar Cliff alum has a special connection to the big game. Katie (Wilke) DeJean, a standout athlete for the Chargers in the late 1990s, will be watching her son, Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean, take the field against the Kansas City Chiefs. But while the spotlight is on Cooper, his journey wouldn’t have been possible without the influence of his mother—an athlete whose own career left an indelible mark at Briar Cliff University.
A Charger Through and Through
Katie Wilke graduated from Briar Cliff in 1999 after a remarkable collegiate career that saw her dominate on the basketball court. A first-team NAIA All-American as a senior, she was also named the NAIA Midwest Region Player of the Year. Over her three-year career with the Chargers, she amassed 1,278 points, helping lead the team to an impressive 89-17 record and three consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearances. Known for her scoring prowess, she led the team with 588 points in her senior year and played in every game—106 straight—after transferring from Huron University.
Her time at Briar Cliff built a foundation not only for her success on the court but also for the competitive spirit she carried forward in life.
While Katie’s achievements on the court were extraordinary, her love for sports didn’t stop after college. Alongside her husband, Jason, she fostered an environment where athleticism, hard work, and versatility were encouraged. The DeJean family emphasized the importance of playing multiple sports rather than specializing too early, a philosophy that shaped Cooper’s development into a multi-talented athlete. 
That approach paid off. Cooper excelled in football, basketball, and baseball before becoming a standout defensive back at the University of Iowa. His performance in college earned him a spot in the 2024 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. Though he started his rookie season with limited playing time, he quickly proved his potential and is now preparing to play on football’s biggest stage.
From BCU to the Super Bowl
Katie and Jason now reside in Odebolt, Iowa, where they remain active in their community. Katie, an accountant at a local insurance agency, has balanced her career with supporting her son’s rise through the ranks of football. While she may not have pursued a professional athletic career herself, those who watched her play at Briar Cliff know just how special her talent was.
Her husband, Jason, has even remarked that Katie was the better athlete between the two—a testament to her remarkable skill on the court.
Now, as she watches her son take the field in the biggest game of his life, she does so with the same competitive spirit that made her an all-time great at Briar Cliff. Whether in the stands or cheering from home, one thing is certain—Katie Wilke DeJean will always be a Charger, and her legacy continues through the next generation. Stay Tuned for Part 2