Athlete of the Week: Cody Renken, Junior, Football

Not many people can say that their high school sport garnered more fans than a Division II collegiate football program. Cody Renken can. Renken, now playing football for Mines, was not daunted when regular season games at Smithson Valley High School in Smithson Valley, Texas witnessed crowds averaging about five thousand in number, with critical playoff games drawing an astounding 22,000 spectators. As an Oredigger, Renken now brings that same passion and fire each and every game to a team that is now on an offensive tear.

Mines’ football team is currently on pace to approach or exceed numerous offensive records, and most of the focus has been on standout quarterback Clay Garcia. But Garcia cannot get any passing yards without a superior play on the receiving end. That superior play has come from many of his wide outs, especially Renken. Currently, Renken compounds his ranking of second in receptions, yardage and touchdowns for the Orediggers with the spark he provides in the return game. For his effort and his performance in leading a dangerous Mines football team toward success Renken is this week’s Athlete of the Week.

What is it like being a student athlete at Mines?
[Renken] One minus is definitely the time. We get out at 7:30 and we’re just starting to do homework. But it keeps your mind off school and acts as kind of an escape.

What are some goals the team has for the rest of this year?
We want to win out the rest of our games. If we can win out we automatically get into the [National Championship Tournament].

How is this year different than previous Mines teams?
We seem to have it all together now. We were here all summer doing workouts and running routes.  Clay [Garcia] and the receivers really worked on our timings and it is now all coming together. And now our running game is getting over 100 yards a game, which really opens up the passing.

What is your favorite part about Mines?
I like how close you come to people. For the most part everyone goes through the same struggles. We all have to take the same basic classes and we all know how tough some of it can be. You build a bond that is different than any other school.

Do you follow any NFL teams?
Well, the Cowboys are definitely my favorite. And being from Texas, I also like the [San Antonio] Spurs and [Texas] Rangers.

What would your dream job be?
(Smiling) Owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and taking Jerry’s spot.

What other sports do you play?
In high school I played basketball, but I also like to snowboard and wakeboard when the water is warm.

What is the most interesting class you have taken so far?
Reservoir Rock Properties. It was the first petroleum class and gave us a basis for what we would be doing. It was the first class I took that related to petroleum.

Why did you choose to be a petroleum engineer?
I had some family friends in the business back in Texas so I kind of grew up around it. I loved it and coming here has helped me solidify my decision.

What is your favorite football memory?
On the very first play of my senior year, our backup quarter here at Mines, David Pawelek, who was my teammate in high school, threw me a 98 yard pass for a touchdown to start the game.