Alex Mack

Classroom

Alex earned his undergraduate degree in legal studies in May of 2008 with a final grade-point average of 3.614. He is a two-time selection to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District team and earned Pac-10 All-Academic recognition in each of his first three seasons. In 2008-09, Mack earned first-team All-Pac-10 and Pac-10 All-Academic notice.

Character

Mack has developed into a true leader on and off the football field for the Golden Bears. His work ethic is unmatched and his sense of responsibility and sportsmanship is exemplary.

Community

Alex is an active member of the Cal Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which has a main focus of directing charitable involvement for Golden Bear student-athletes. His most intensive project of the past year was a very unique event, similar to “Dancing with the Stars.” Cal athletes came together with members of the Olympic Dance Club (ODC) to put on an event that included competitions and a collaborative dance contest. The event raised money for Cal Athletics as well as for the dance troupe, which is heavily involved in activities for under-privileged children in San Francisco. Alex volunteered to be the “poster child” for the event and was an integral part in promoting ticket sales. Mack has also worked with an after-school/lunch program at John Muir Elementary School, visiting the students and teaching the values of education, as well as sports involvement. Alex was also heavily involved in “College Sports Day” at Cal, a day where young children from the community could visit campus and learn about college from student-athletes. In addition, he works with football players and wrestlers at his high school when he returns home.

Competition

Alex leaves Cal as one of the best centers in the country with a long list of awards.  He was the recipient of the 2008 Draddy Trophy presented to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance, and was named the Pac-10 Scholar-Athlete of the Year for football.  He was tabbed first-team All-American by Rivals.com and second-team All-American by Walter Camp and the Sporting News.  Mack earned third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press on his way to winning the Morris Trophy (given to the best offensive lineman in the Pac-10) for the second consecutive year (he is just the third player to receive the award twice).  Alex was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy given to the top center in college football and a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award.  Mid-season, he as chosen as a first-team All-American by the Sporting News and College Football News.  Named Cal’s Co-Offensive MVP, Mack earned the team’s Schlessinger Coaches Award, which recognizes outstanding athletic ability, academic success and community service.  Mack had three pancakes and four knockdowns in the opener against Michigan State, registered five pancakes and four knockdowns against Arizona State, and tallied a season-high six pancakes against Stanford.  Prior to the year, selected to the Playboy Preseason All-American Team and he still has the top clean all-time at Cal (all positions) at 374 pounds.