Athlete Spotlight: Justin Dvorak

Year: Senior (Fall ’16 grad)

Major: B.S. Petroleum Engineering

Hometown: Tomball, TX

Honors and awards: Dvorak has had a multitude of accolades during his time at Mines, with some notable awards including RMAC Offensive Player of the Week (x4), Harlon Hill Trophy nominee, and First-Team All-RMAC (x2).

Why Mines: While Dvorak wanted to continue playing football during college, he knew football would end at one point or another so he also desired a degree that would take him places. With family and friends speaking highly of Mines, Dvorak shared that attending Mines was “an easy decision”.

Biggest challenge as a student athlete: The biggest challenge for Dvorak, though also perhaps the best learning experience, is handling the rigorous workload of both football and classes. “It’s tough to have to wake up for 6am lifts or running, go to class all-day, then meetings and practice until 7:30, and then do homework until it’s time to go to bed, knowing that you have to do it all over again the next day,” Dvorak explained.

Role on the team: As a 2-time team captain and 3-year starter, Dvorak is a big role model and vocal leader on the team. While he claims he is not “always a big ‘rah-rah’ guy,” he does like to lead the team by example in the ways that he prepares and performs.

Favorite part about football: Dvorak shared this his favorite part of football at Mines is playing in front of a cheering home crowd at Marv Kay Stadium with his teammates.

Favorite part about the team: Dvorak enjoys the supportive chemistry that the team has. “Through thick and thin, we all have each other’s backs on and off the field,” he shared.

Role Models: Dvorak’s role models include his mother and grandfather.