« Football 2010

Cheta Ozougwu

School
Rice University
Position
Defensive End
Major
Economics

Classroom

Cheta Ozougwu maintains a 3.40 GPA in economics and was named to the 2010 Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award second team. In addition, Ozougwu was named to the President’s Honor Roll last spring. He’s a three-time Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipient and a 2010 Rice Honor Athlete for football.

Character

Defensive line coach Craig Naivar had this to say about Ozougwu’s character: ”Over the past four years, I have come to know Cheta Ozougwu as an outstanding athlete, a conscientious student and a young man that is a true difference maker on this campus… 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.  Cheta 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.”

Community

Ozougwu helps fellow student-athletes as a Peer Academic Advisor, a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and also serves in the African Christian Fellowship Houston Chapter. He’s also currently involved with the Black Student Association Social Committee and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). In addition, Ozougwu has participated in the Rice African Student Association, the Gospel Choir at Braeswood Assembly of God and volunteered with the Alief YMCA, Harris County Hospital, Hoops for Hope, Good Hope Church’s Community Service Partnership with the Houston Food Bank and reading at a couple of local elementary schools.

Competition

As a junior Ozougwu earned honorable-mention All-C-USA honors after ranking second among conference defensive linemen with a career-high 61 tackles. Ozougwu also posted career bests with 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He enters his senior season as a second-team All-C-USA pick by Phil Steele and on Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All Texas College second team.