Academics and Athletics: On the Same Team

Kevin Marzolf ’19, Mankato, Minn.
Major: Biology

Why did you choose Concordia?

Concordia College has provided me the opportunity to continue my athletic career in a great football program while receiving an excellent education. Concordia is also highly regarded for sending students to graduate programs, something that intrigued me as an aspiring dentist.

Why study biology at Concordia?

I would say I study biology because I knew coming in that I wanted to go into the medical field. I was open at first, but I was kind of leaning toward dentistry. I not only had a general interest in biology, but I knew that it was a path that would fulfill a lot of the prerequisites for applying to dental school.

Have you had any mentors or influential professors during your time here?

During my time here, I’ve developed a close mentor relationship with Dr. Askvig. I’ve only actually had one class with him, anatomy last year, but he is very focused on helping his students do well and he is very in touch with athletics – both at Concordia and athletics in general. He’s a Vikings fan and follows March Madness, so it was easy for me to just have a conversation with him.

What activities and internships have you been involved in?

I’m involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). I’ve enjoyed the volunteer opportunities that my involvement in SAAC has provided and putting on the Golden Cobbs show at the end of the year.

I’m also a Peer Mentor on campus. Peer mentoring provides me the opportunity to be a resource for first-year students. Basically, if anything comes up I can be their first contact and help them find the path that they need, whether it’s academic or just life in general.

What do you love most about playing Cobber football?

Playing football for Concordia has allowed me to grow close with my teammates, who have turned into some of my best friends and are people I see myself keeping in contact with for the rest of my life. Putting on the pads together as a team on Saturday is unlike any other experience I have had in life and I will cherish those moments forever.

What do you love most about playing for Coach Horan?

What I love about playing for Coach Horan is that he has high expectations for his players both on the field to be great football players and off the field to be great citizens. He is always encouraging his players and makes practice both fun and challenging.

How is the Cobber football program unique?

One thing that makes the Cobber football program special is the Joshua shield worn by past and present Concordia football players. The Joshua shield is a pendant with Joshua 1:9, our team Bible verse, inscribed into the back. The Joshua shield signifies the brotherhood shared by those who have worn and are currently wearing the Cobber “C.”

What do you most appreciate about being a student-athlete at Concordia?

I love that athletics are taken very seriously at Concordia and that coaches also understand the importance of academics. Coaches hold us to a high standard on the field but also stress that the primary reason for being here is to receive an education.

What makes being an athlete at Concordia so unique?

The biggest thing is the passion that all Concordia athletes share and realizing that we are a part of something much bigger than us. There is such a great tradition here and that’s sort of what won me over to come here in the first place. I wanted to be a part of it.

What has been a highlight of your college career?

If I were to say one thing, I would say the bonds that I’ve built with the guys playing football. There’s a brotherhood there and it’s hard to understand it unless you’ve been a part of it, but the bond those 130 guys share is pretty special. And it’s cool to have four different years of athletes, so I know seven classes of Cobbers now. I’ve just met so many people that way and created bonds together. And I believe the Joshua shield is a great representation of the brotherhood we share.

What advice would you give a prospective student?

Trust your gut. The first time I was here, I walked around campus and really liked it instantly. The people that I met made it feel like home and were very nice and approachable. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to come here, but ultimately considering all my other options this was the place that felt most like home. Even though it’s farther from my hometown, I wasn’t scared to come here because I knew that there would be great people everywhere on campus.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to go to dental school. I’ve finished the whole application process and now it’s just the waiting game. I’ll start going through the interview process and hopefully get a decision made by December.

^{Published October 2018}