Andrew Sendejo

Classroom

Sendejo is a stellar example of a Rice University student-athlete.  He maintains a 3.55 GPA as a sport management major, with a minor in business.

Character

Craig Naivar, co-defensive coordinator, on Sendejo: “Over the past two years, I have come to know Andrew Sendejo as an outstanding athlete, a conscientious student and a young man that is a true difference maker on this campus. Andrew embodies everything the expression ‘difference maker’ represents.  He has proven himself countless times in the arena on Saturday afternoons.  He has excelled in the classroom and shared his knowledge and wisdom with others.  He has developed into a selfless leader by being a source of constant support for his teammates, both young and old. He has impeccable character that is on display everyday.  Andrew also has the charisma to positively influence those around him.  He has the rare ability to be comfortable in any setting and carry himself with a maturity far beyond his years. He is selfless, accountable and is strong in deeds and spoken word.  He has also proven himself in one of the most rigorous settings a student-athlete could be placed in.  In being a motivated student-athlete of integrity, Andrew excels in a highly competitive classroom environment.  Furthermore; he has been a vital cog in the renaissance of Rice University football.  Andrew has set a shinning example of the term ‘student-athlete.’  This has not gone unnoticed by the football coaching staff, his teammates or the Rice University campus community.  I strongly believe that Andrew Sendejo is worthy of consideration for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award and if chosen, be extremely appreciative of such recognition.”

Community

Sendejo is committed to serving both the Rice and the Houston communities.  Here are a few notable events he participated in: Currently serves as a Peer Academic Advisor (2008 to present) for his football team, meeting with both incoming freshmen and upperclassmen several times to give advice; gave speeches to elementary students, middle school students, and high school students on healthy eating habits, balancing academics and athletics, and the importance of going to college to earn a degree; helped an elementary school with its field day; visited and read to 1st graders and ate lunch with them; participated in the Challenger Event at Rice Stadium (playing football with mentally handicapped kids from the Houston area); gave tours of the Rice campus to elementary students; participated in a project to raise money to bring out underprivileged kids in the Houston area to a Rice football game; volunteered to help work with little kids in the Rice football camp; held roundtable discussions with high school students about being a student-athlete.

Competition

Sendejo is a preseason All C-USA pick by conference coaches and a three-year starter who heads into fall as the national leader among active players with 171 career solo tackles and also ranks in the top 10 among active players in career total tackles, career interceptions and interception returns for touchdowns. He was voted by his teammates as a team captain after the conclusion of both his sophomore and junior seasons. He is a second team All C-USA preseason selection by the media in a poll conducted by the New Orleans Times Picayune. He led the Owls with 94 tackles in 2008 despite missing nearly three full games with a high ankle sprain. He is fifth in C-USA stats with 8.55 tackles per game (51st nationally), 22nd in NCAA stats with 5.4 solo tackles per game. He is the Owls’ active leader in tackles with 254 and needs 24 to move into the Owls’ career top 10. He leads the team with eight career interceptions, all in his last 21 games, including two for scores. He recorded five double-figure tackle games in 2008 and has nine in his career. He has been responsible for 17 of the Owls’ 58 turnovers since the start of 2007 (eight interceptions, four forced fumbles, four fumble recovery, one pass deflection that was intercepted).