STRIKING FIGURE : Cal Lutheran’s Schultz Quit Modeling to Focus on School, Linebacking Chores

When John Madden talks about “linebacker eyes,” he’s not referring to Scott Schultz’s eyes, deep pools of blue that would cause Frank Sinatra to don shades.

Madden prefers eyes like Mike Singletary’s, two glowing orbs of violent intensity. Madden might, however, appreciate Schultz’s nose. Schultz, an inside linebacker for Cal Lutheran and the team’s fourth-leading tackler, simply has a nose for the ball.

The people at L. A. Models weren’t particularly interested in either Schultz’s eyes or his nose, though. They were more interested in his linebacker physique when they represented him as a male model.

Schultz worked briefly as what is known in the trade as a body model, which caused him to miss his junior season, but he has returned to football for his senior year and been (dare one say it?) a model of consistency.

Sure, Schultz has been looking good on the field, but he once tried to make a living off his good looks. At times, though, he felt like the Belvedere Torso.

“Mainly, I was doing body stuff because I had a good body,” Schultz said. “I’d put on a Speedo (swimsuit) and eight guys would look at me for flaws, and that kind of bothered me, prancing around. You’re just kind of a toy to them.”

After appearing on “The Dating Game” as a sophomore, Schultz was contacted by a talent scout in Nebraska, who encouraged him to try modeling.

It was the spring of 1988, and Schultz was open to the idea after a disappointing football season. He began the 1987 season expecting to play extensively at defensive end. However, Earl Bentencourt, injured the previous year, returned to register a Kingsmen-record 23 sacks and relegate Schultz to the bench.

“I was frustrated and thought, ‘This modeling thing isn’t too bad,’ ” Schultz said. “I was kind of burned out at that point. It was good for me to take that leave and come back.”

L. A. Models wanted Schultz (6 feet, 200 pounds) to shed 20 pounds. He could either stay bulked up for football or slim down and try modeling. Even at 180 pounds he was considered more of a fitness model than a pure fashion model.

“I was too big to be in a double-breasted suit,” said Schultz, who did a layout in “Exercise for Men Only” and appeared in the “University Man” swimsuit issue. “I was almost too big for their needs. Bodybuilders can be stereotyped as bodybuilder models, whereas in fitness modeling you can get more into fashion.”

Schultz worked a few months that spring as a model, but he was running himself ragged for negligible remuneration. Schultz estimated that he grossed $1,000 in his modeling career, little more than the $500 he spent marketing himself.

“It got to be kind of a rat race,” Schultz said. “A lot of those guys work nights and have days to go on calls, but I had to go to class. It’s pretty frustrating. You’d go in hoping to get a job and only get a 20- to 30-second look. I’m a more stable person than that. A lot of guys like to live in the fast lane.”

Schultz’s teammates weren’t particularly impressed by his modeling: “They called me pretty boy,” he said. Nor, apparently, were the women of Cal Lutheran: “It never really helped me pick up girls,” and he quit modeling that summer to help with his stepfather’s business.

Still weighing 180 pounds, Schultz decided to redshirt during the 1988 season and regain his weight and strength rather than have opponents kick turf in his face.

Schultz’s Cal Lutheran life had never revolved around football, anyway. A grade-point average above 3.4 helped him earn a position as a departmental assistant in the business department. Four out of approximately 90 senior business majors are chosen on the basis of grades and a faculty vote. Not only is the position an honor, it helps finance Schultz’s education.

Business Dean James Esmay called Schultz one of “our real stars.” Schultz tutors students and is also working on a statistical analysis project for the alumni association.

The group is working on a legacy project and hopes to endow scholarships for all Cal Lutheran alumni children. Schultz is trying to determine how large an endowment is needed to fund the scholarships.

“That’s a tricky thing,” said Esmay, who is also Schultz’s adviser.

Schultz is growing accustomed to dealing with situations that present him with random permutations and require him to make correct decisions. The move from defensive lineman to inside linebacker has given him added responsibilities in the Cal Lutheran defense.

“There’s a lot more to think about,” Schultz said. “You’ve got to be on your toes, but I love it.”

Schultz’s return was a pleasant surprise for Coach Bob Shoup, who was hit with a shortage of inside linebackers when leading returning tackler Ken Steward became ineligible.

“I knew he’d play some,” Shoup said. “I didn’t know where, though. I kind of thought he’d be an outside linebacker.”

After racking up 12 tackles and breaking up two passes against St. Mary’s, Schultz was named the Cal Lutheran defensive player of the game. He recorded a sack against UC Santa Barbara and has been particularly strong on run support.

In switching positions, Schultz also acquired a new number. He picked jersey No. 30, a number with a little extra meaning. Mike Schultz, Scott’s older brother, wore No. 30 as a standout linebacker at El Dorado High, but he never played college football.

Schultz followed his brother at El Dorado, where as a senior he served as a campus “big brother” for freshman swimming superstar Janet Evans, but he drifted apart from his real big brother.

“I feel a little guilty,” Schultz said. “I’ve tried to talk to him a couple times because I still love him. I thought I’ll wear his number for him to try and show him there are no hard feelings.”

Schultz injured his left ankle last week but doesn’t expect it to be a factor tonight against Cal State Northridge. He and the rest of the undersized Cal Lutheran defense will need to be at their best against slashing running back Albert Fann and fleet quarterback Sherdrick Bonner.

“We’ve changed a few things,” said Schultz, who wasn’t giving away many secrets the day before the game. “We try to turn everything inside. Hopefully, we’ll have the containment, and their speed won’t be that much of a factor. Our philosophy is if we can hold them to 14 points, our offense can win.”

Although Schultz has a year of eligibility remaining, he might be in the midst of his last season. He will graduate in the spring and he is considering work on a graduate degree, but tuition is a burden for a guy who is helping finance his education with academic scholarships rather than athletic aid.

Schultz will have time to think over his future when he takes his beloved mountain bike to Italy this summer for a biking tour to Scandinavia.

Europe also happens to be a hotbed of fashion, but Schultz says that his modeling days are behind him. He has gone from life in the fast lane to life in the passing lanes, but he still does his job with style.