Football Senior: Gabe Washington

Gabe Washington

By Tegan Ellis

What is your major, and how did you end up at ONU?

My major is Pharmacy with a minor in Spanish. I always knew I wanted to go into pharmacy and play collegiate football. In Ohio, the only schools offering that at the time were Toledo, Cincinnati and ONU. My high school coach knew I wanted to get into pharmacy and that ONU had a program so I setup the visit. I came down with my parents, saw the campus with Coach Paul, and later met with Dr. McCurdy. I got my application and mailed it off the next day. I got accepted into the program which was and is currently a 0-6 direct-admit program. Once I was admitted I got my financial aid package and sealed the deal. The people were very friendly and I got a great feel for the campus, faculty, staff and students. 

How do you balance such a rigorous pharmacy schedule along with an intense football program?

I make sure I plan ahead of time. Knowing when I am going to have a crazy week, looking ahead with my syllabi. Writing things down that I need to do, prioritizing and starting things early, because I don’t have the time to procrastinate.

What is your No. 1 goal for this year?

I want to be a national champion.

How did it feel to beat No. 4 ranked North Central (Ill.) to open your 2009 season?

It felt great. We got to return the favor to North Central and give them the long seven hour bus ride home. All the work we did in the off season, during camp, all the film, the running; it all paid off.

As a senior, what do you hope to offer your team as you play your final season of football here at ONU?

Solid leadership, great/consistent effort, big-time plays while leaving it all on the field.

Last year you were 2^nd Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference. What has made you such a strong and competitive player over the years?

Always working hard. Not being content with previous success, and knowing that there is always room to improve.

How has it felt to letter all four years of your football career?

It feels great. It’s an honor to have the privilege to letter in any collegiate sport. It makes me feel great that I did work hard, and I was able to be able to have an opportunity to play during my collegiate career for the last four years.

As a junior last year, you led your team in tackles. Do you feel any pressure this year to do the same or more?

Definitely, leading in tackles is always a linebacker’s goal. I also want to improve on playing more consistent, making more big-time plays such as forced fumbles, recovered fumbles, and interceptions.

Your impressive career and outstanding stats have made you a vital player on the team. What would you say are your strengths on the field?

I am a physical player that gives their all. I love the game, and I try and get the big picture of things going on around me. Knowing what my teammates are doing and the strains of our defense against various offensive sets.

What advice can you leave for the underclassmen as they start this 2009 season?

Enjoy your time here playing collegiate football, because it goes by fast. Although it is time consuming, demanding and stressful it is very rewarding with the relationships that you build with your teammates, coaches and the memories that you will have strapping up the pads one last time.

What is one thing you want to improve upon this year?

I want to be more consistent in all aspects of my game play. So far I have one interception, but hopefully I can improve upon that this weekend and the rest of the season.