Every month, NFL Player Engagement and Scholar Baller® highlight a high school or college football student-athlete for their outstanding performance in the classroom and community. This month’s Scholar-Baller of the Month is Gabe Ikard, senior center on the football team at Oklahoma University.
Gabe Ikard: A Scholar-Baller Center
- Gabe Ikard is a three-time member of the Capital One Academic All-America® team. He was selected as the 2013 Capital One Academic All-American® of the Year for Division I football.
- Ikard also won the Wuerffel Trophy in 2013, which is an award presented to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines athletic and academic achievement with exemplary community service.
- Ikard was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2013, which is an academic honor that is awarded to the NCAA student-athlete who best combines academic success, football performance and community leadership.
- Ikard was also a finalist and first team award recipient of the Senior CLASS Award in 2013, which is “The Nation’s Premier Award for NCAA Senior Student-Athletes” (award based on community, classroom, character, and competition).
- Ikard received the 2103 Dr. Gerald Lage Award, the highest academic award given by the Big 12 Conference.
- Ikard joined Mission of Hope International on a week-long trip to Haiti in 2012 to work with his Sooner teammates to rebuild and repair Haiti after the damage caused by the massive earthquake that struck the country in January 2010.
- Ikard has already earned his first undergraduate degree in multidisciplinary studies with a focus in medical sciences. He is currently working on a second undergraduate degree in human relations. Throughout his undergraduate studies, Ikard has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. Ikard plans to attend medical school.
- Ikard just finished his playing career at Oklahoma as a four-year starter on the offensive line. Ikard served as team captain of the football team for the past two years.
- Oklahoma University head football coach Bob Stoops called Ikard “an exemplary leader for our team, whether it’s in the classroom, in the weight room, on the field or in the community.”
“Coach (Bob) Stoops consistently preaches to us about being active in the community and being dedicated in the classroom.”
~ Gabe Ikard