The Collegian

Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson

Senior football quarterback Mark Nicolet graduates from Hillsdale College with his picture along the Roche Sports Complex wall - a wall reserved for only one thing: athletes who have earned All-American status.

"You are encouraged by the pictures on the wall when you walk by them every single day," Nicolet said. "To be named with those athletes is a complete honor."

Nicolet broke six records his senior year alone. In addition to being an All-American, he was presented with the Jack McAvoy Award, which bases itself on athletic ability, character and service leadership. It was the first time a Charger was honored with the award, named after Hillsdale's former athletic director, in its 12-year existence.

"This was an encouragement in that you can be an amazing football player, but if you don't have good character off the field what's the point?" Nicolet said.

Nicolet was also a semi-finalist for the Draddy Award, the Harlon Hill Award (the Division II Heisman equivalent), and named GLIAC Player of the Year, First-Team All-GLIAC and Daktronics First-Team All-Region.

He attended the Cactus Bowl in Kingsville, Texas, where he was named captain and offensive MVP.

"We didn't know half of these awards existed until he got them," Larry Nicolet, Mark's father, said. "He just goes out and does his best, and the awards just sort of happen."

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