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Iowa State University Athletics
Long Journey Pays Off for O'Connell, Cyclones
07.15.2010 | Football
AMES, Iowa - The transition from walk-on freshman to senior team co-captain is not an easy one. Michael O'Connell has experienced this firsthand. He joined ISU as a walk-on in 2006 and since then has climbed all the way to being elected by his teammates to be a captain for the Cyclones in 2010.
"Being chosen as a captain is huge for me, because I have been on quite the journey in my time here at Iowa State," O'Connell said. "I still remember coming in as a walk-on and in the fall of my first year I would have to get ready for practice in the visitor's locker room. To make it to where I am at now as a co-captain elected by my teammates is something in which I take great pride."
In 2009 the Cyclone safety started five games making a key interception late in the win at Nebraska. However, this year O'Connell sees himself playing a slightly different role for his team, on and off of the playing field.
"Being a co-captain on defense, I feel like I will be able to step up and lead more for the team," O'Connell said. "My role on the field will increase because instead of just getting significant playing time last year, I will be a full-time guy this year. I also want to help bring along the younger guys who are coming up and learning. I want to help them get acquainted to what it is like to play in the Big 12."
While O'Connell is a stand-out on the field, he also has achieved success in the classroom. The ISU senior was named to the First-team Academic All-Big 12 list in 2009 after being named to the Second-team Academic All-Big 12 list in 2008. He has also been named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll three times and was a Big 12 Conference Good Works team member in 2007.
"To be successful on the field and in the classroom at the same time, you have to really care," O'Connell said. "To get anything done as a student-athlete you have to put in the effort. At times it does get tough with your time schedule and trying to balance everything, but you have to manage the two and take care of your business in the classroom and on the field. I think you can be successful at both with if you have the right mindset."
O'Connell has noticed that the team has been working extremely hard this offseason in preparation for another big season. While many like to look forward all the way to the start of the season, O'Connell is instead taking it one step at a time.
"There is no question we have been working very hard, and everything is out there for us to achieve, but we must have the mindset of getting better every single day," O'Connell said. "That is our biggest goal this season, just to work hard and get better every single day. If we stick to that then everything will take care of itself."
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