University of Houston Athletics
Marcus McGraw Academic Momentum Award Winner
11/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
The University of Houston has announced that sophomore linebacker Marcus McGraw has been awarded the Academic Momentum Award. The award is presented by the Scholar-Baller Program in conjunction with the National Consortium for Academics and Sports.
The award recognizes a student-athlete's academic achievements in the face of adversity.
McGraw was able to overcome tremendous adversity in his personal life and not let it interfere with his academic or athletic pursuits. Before the 2008 Tulane game, McGraw's mother passed away suddenly. McGraw was able to play that game and start every following game. But more importantly, he held his life together. He did not drop one credit hour and continued to pass every class he was enrolled in. Teammates showed their respect for McGraw by electing him one of the four team captains this season. He is the only sophomore captain.
"He is the old 18 going on 30," UH head football oach Kevin Sumlin said. "He is more mature than a lot of so-called grown men."
McGraw remains a devoted brother and uncle to his remaining family and a good friend to many student-athletes and classmates. McGraw was able to overcome his personal challenges to achieve academically. He did not let adversity stop his academic momentum which is why he is the recipient of this award.
McGraw, ranks 12th in the nation in tackles per game (10.6). His 19-tackle performance against Texas Tech ranks as the third highest in Football Bowl Subdivision single-game highs for the season.
Donnie Avery won the 2007 Academic Momentum Award.
