Athlete of the Week: Clay Garcia, Junior, Football

The last four years of Oredigger football have been dominated in part by standout quarterback David Pesek. Now Pesek has graduated and junior Clay Garcia finally has his chance to impress. And impress he has. He has taken no time in leading an explosive Mines offense with 666 yards in only his first two games. The Mechanical Engineer will earn his undergraduate degree in the spring and looks to return to complete his Master’s degree. His recent effort in a 52-24 win over South Dakota Mines (27-42 for 417 yds and 6 TD) was enough to earn him the honor of RMAC Offensive Player of the Week and, of course, the Oredigger Athlete of the Week.

Oredigger: How did you begin playing football?
Garcia: I’ve been playing since I was four or five. I played with my two older brothers growing up and been playing since.

What are some of the goals you have as a team this season?
Every year we want to win the RMAC championship. We have the potential, it just depends on whether we rise to the occasion or not.

Do you have a favorite football memory?
It would probably be making the run last season (8-3 overall, 8-1 RMAC). We had a great season and it was great just being a part of that team.

What is the hardest part about being a student athlete?
Definitely time management. Football takes up more time than most people would think. It takes probably about 20 hours a week.

What does your schedule look like?
Tuesday is my toughest day. I have lifting from 7-8, class straight from 8 – 3:15, team meetings from 3:15 – 4, and practice from 4 – 7:30, and then I get to go home.

What do you like about being on the football team?
Definitely just being a part of a team. It’s a close group of guys. When you’re a freshman, you have the team backing you up. If you’re struggling in school or socially, the upperclassmen can be there to help out.

Who was your favorite player growing up?
John Elway, I loved the way he was able to play and make things happen.

What has been your hardest class?
Ooh… Fluid mechanics.  Actually probably Thermodynamics and Physics II as well. I really didn’t like any of those classes.