SPORTS ROUND-UP
BRAINS & BRAWN YOU'VE HEARD THE STORY BEFORE. THE DEDICATED ATHLETE PUSHES THEIR OWN LIMITS FOR A CHANCE TO SHOW THE FANS (AND THE TEAM) ALL THAT THEY CAN DO.
For two years, its been two-a-day football practices. It's been blood, sweat, tears, and sidelines. Rooting the team on as they take the field while the drive, ambition, and chance to triumph waits in the locker room. Then, the day comes - the hard work has finally paid off and the coaching staff announces that a chance to start in the first collegiate game of their college career. This one is against the number one ranked team in the country. The pre-game speech is over as the team explodes onto the field amidst a series of boos from the opposing bleachers. Lined up at defensive end for the first series of the game and just a few plays into it, a cut is made toward the ball carrier. From the stands the fans witness one leg remaining planted in the turf. An instant later it's over as the ground rises to meet the falling form. The trainers run out to aid the athlete who would later learn that this would be the end of the season, after much waiting and anticipation. Many would cry defeat, hang their head feeling sorry for themselves, but STEVE MAUK ‘11 is the exception. He worked too hard for too long
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to gain his rightful spot on the field, this detour would be his chance to rehab and return to his teammates as a senior. Mauk knew that an NFL career would not be in his future, and like many NCAA Division III student-athletes, he remained as dedicated off the field in the classroom and worked hard to ensure his future. “My goal is to enjoy what I do every day and be successful,” said Mauk, a native of St. Clair, Michigan. “I was motivated to put in the work both on the field and in the classroom. I knew I had the ability to make a difference on the field and getting hurt also put things in perspective. I knew that my time in college was coming to an end and I pushed myself even harder to complete my degree.” Not only would Mauk complete his bachelor’s degree, but he did it in three and a half years with a major in exercise science. He was a four-time member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association All-Academic List. In addition, he carried a 3.9 grade point average and received the highest individual honor in the classroom by being named CoSIDA/Verizon First Team Academic All-American in 2011. It was the first time that the honor would be awarded to an Adrian College football player in nearly 20 years. The road back to the field would prove challenging, but Mauk felt compelled to excel not only for himself but for his teammates who gave him so much support. The 2011 season would prove to be a great one for Mauk and the Bulldogs who finished the year with an 8-2 overall record. The season began slowly for Mauk on an individual basis. He was looking to regain his form and entering the Homecoming game wanted to make his presence known. Mauk had two and a half
tackles for loss against Concordia-Chicago and five total tackles, which gave him a boost for what turned out to be a special senior season. Mauk finished the season with at least one sack in the final four games and led the team with seven sacks for a loss of 33 yards. He totaled 12 and a half sacks for a loss of 46 yards and compiled 33 total tackles including 17 solo stops. At the end of the season, the MIAA coaches voted Mauk as First Team All-Conference on the defensive line. In addition, Mauk was a finalist for the Al Deal Award given to the top senior studentathlete in the MIAA. “I wanted to prove to myself that I was mentally and physically strong enough to overcome such an obstacle,” said Mauk. “The journey is truly a roller coaster of emotion that opens your eyes to who you really are." Mauk credits DR. ADAM COUGHLIN ‘97, a faculty member at Adrian College, as an inspiration for his efforts off the field. “I felt he inspired me to take advantage of the opportunities Adrian College had to offer,” said Mauk. “Whether it was on the field or in the classroom, he taught me to experience everything you possibly can while you have the chance.” Mauk is currently pursuing a master’s degree in exercise physiology at Northern Illinois University. He was awarded a full-time Graduate Assistantship and will be working part-time as a research assistant for Exercising Nutritionally in Naperville, Illinois. “I had the best experience at Adrian College and really enjoyed playing for coach JIM DEERE ‘90 and the coaching staff,” said Mauk. “My teammates were the best and I really learned how to persevere through hard times. I know that life will be difficult, but there is no doubt I will be ready for it.”