The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Colt: The real McCoy on and off the football field
09.01.2007 | Texas Athletics
According to Brian Davis, the assistant athletics director for student services at UT, sophomore quarterback Colt McCoy is "one of those kids that you'd draw up, as they say in coaching circles."
Davis added, "Colt is very bright and always handles school well. He does so not necessarily because he's supposed to, but because he truly enjoys learning."
That's one reason why the kinesiology major from Tuscola's Jim Ned High School is the initial Male Student-Athlete of the Month for the 2007-08 school year.
"Anytime you receive an honor at The University of Texas that recognizes your efforts in the classroom and on the field, it is special," McCoy began. "There are so many great student-athletes on all of our sports teams, so it is a big thrill for me to be named the student-athlete of the month."
McCoy, whose redshirt freshman season guiding the Longhorns was something straight out of Hollywood, was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection and twice has been recognized as a member of the Athletics Director's Honor Roll.
The first freshman QB in Texas history to win 10 games in a season, McCoy was honored as the Darrell K Royal Most Valuable Offensive Player for the 2006 season. He was Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, as well as The Sporting News Freshman of the Year.
"Coach Mack Brown and BD (Brian Davis) and everyone who works with the football program really emphasizes the importance of working hard on and off the field," McCoy said. "That's helped me and my teammates stay focused on doing well in school, along with working hard on the field."
McCoy also volunteers at the Austin Children's Hospital and the Children's Miracle Network.
"He may be the most humble young man I ever have met," Davis said. "Everyone has heard about the man whose life Colt saved in the summer of 2006. Last year, after the victory against OU, Colt walked into the auditorium classroom in Welch Hall at 9 a.m. to take his government mid-term and was thoroughly embarrassed when spontaneous applause erupted from the other 150 students in the class.
"His professor, a scholar recently transplanted from the East Coast, was perplexed. Colt apologized and then aced the exam. It sounds as though it's something from a bad '80s teen movie, but it happened."
McCoy, who said his dream is to lead his team to a National Championship and who came to Texas because of the tradition and that chance to reach that National Championship, enjoys his teammates, coaches and the entire college experience.
"He carries tremendous leadership, particularly for his age," Davis said. "He doesn't worry about his record or the accolades. As an ex-small town resident myself, I am proud of him for a lot of reasons."