Cal Jennings

Classroom

Cal Jennings has earned a 3.7 GPA in the classroom through his first three years at UCF. Not only is he majoring in nonprofit management, but he is also going for a minor in sports business management. The minor terms itself “The Minor That’s Major,” insisting that although it’s a minor, it teaches students about vital skills required to succeed in the business of sports.

Character

As talented as Jennings is on the field, he remains humble and gives credit to his team and his coaching staff. He is never found gloating about how he was second in the NCAA in scoring last season, but instead he talks about how he and his teammates worked together to achieve their common goal. As a senior, he is a leader and has taken new players under his wing to show them how things are done at UCF. Not only is he a leader when it comes to communicating, but he also leads by example. He is consistently the last one to leave practice, making sure to get the most out of each opportunity.

Community

Aside from volunteering here and there at random events, Jennings has been involved heavily with Athletes in Action after interning with them last semester. As a part of Cru Ministries, Athletes in Action strives to help coaches, players, staff and sport-minded individuals grow in their relationships with each other and with God.

Competition

Jennings is a high-caliber athlete. Last season, he scored 20 goals, making him the second-leading goal scorer in the nation. He netted three hat tricks over the course of 2018 and, as of nomination time, had already begun 2019 with a game-winning goal against No. 6 North Carolina. Last season he was a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and is on the watch list again this year. He won many honors last year, including AAC Offensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-East Region selection and a first-team United Soccer Coaches All-American.