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ATHENS, Ohio – This fall, one Bobcat is using his position on the team to illuminate the importance of community education.  

Graduate student defensive tackle Cam Rice (Morgantown, W.Va.) finished his bachelor's of Community Education with an emphasis on sports, recreation and wellness over the summer. Previously, Rice worked internships through the YMCA and summer camps, where he learned the impact of personal development through sport. It's also something he's seen with the Bobcats so far.  

"I helped out at an elementary school—a local school around my last school that I was at— I taught gym class and ran an after-school sports program from ages kindergarten to fourth," Rice said. "I never thought I'd work in a school, or never thought I'd be teacher, but I had a blast. Those kids really look up to me, and I'm a real role model."  

While Rice has only been on the team for a few months, he said the family environment the team has is one of the best things about it. He feels like the guys are his brothers and said it really feels like a team. Through his experiences, he hopes to bring more leadership and communication skills to the Bobcats.   

Rice said after graduation he would like to work as a Program Director for a YMCA or get into coaching, but his end goal would be to open a youth sports center for at-risk youth. He said he is grateful to be back on the field and practicing with the Bobcats this season and appreciates the team and coaches for taking him on and teaching him the ropes of Bobcat football. 

"It's a great, great town," Rice said. "I'm from a college town, it's a little bit bigger than this, but I love it here. It has a great atmosphere, great people around and I can't complain."  

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