Mark Blades

Classroom

Blades carries a solid 3.05 grade point average while majoring in psychology at one of the nation’s top academic institutions.

Character

Blades displays himself with class and represents Northwestern University in a positive manner both on and off the field of play. Though standing just 5-foot-6, he makes up for his lack of size by playing the game with a great deal of heart and determination. He has worked extremely hard to take care of himself and his body in order to get into peak physical condition. His leadership is evidenced by the fact that he has been named a team captain. Blades has also drawn a great deal of inspiration from his brother, Gavin, who played soccer at Yale but suffered a career-ending injury in a serious skiing accident. He credits this incident with helping him to live each day to the fullest.

Community

Blades and the Northwestern men’s soccer program are very active in the Evanston and Chicago communities. Among the projects he has been involved are working youth soccer camps and volunteering his time at various community events for the Northwestern Athletic Department.

Competition

Blades enters the year on the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list and was named an NSCAA third-team All-American as a junior in 2008 while helping lead Northwestern to its second NCAA quarterfinal round appearance in three seasons. He was also named a first-team All-Great Lakes Region pick and a second-team All-Big Ten selection. He is a preseason second-team All-America selection by College Soccer News this season. The Wildcats achieved a program-best No. 2 national ranking in 2008 and were ranked as high as No. 3 in 2007.