Sept. 11, 2000

All to often today in the world of college athletics, the word student is dropped off of the term student-athlete. Fans see their sports heroes at the collegiate level only tackling on the playing field and do not think about them tackling the books in the classroom. Senior defensive back Isaac Powell is a prime example of what the term student-athlete really means.

Powell has been successful at Southeast on both the football field and in the classroom. On the field, Powell, a unanimous choice for team captain, has led the Indians in interceptions the past two seasons and is the leading returning tackler on the team having recorded 80 tackles a season ago. These accomplishments have caught the attention of many officials, including the Ohio Valley Conference, which named Powell to the preseason All-Conference team for the 2000 season.

At the same time, Powell, a pre-med major, also excels in the classroom. Powell was recently awarded the prestigious "2000 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar" award by Black Issues in Higher Education magazine. The magazine recognizes minority athletes who have excelled on and off the field. Powell currently has a 3.523 cumulative grade point average, has been named to the Dean's List twice and plans on entering medical school upon graduation. "Technology has always interested me, as has the human body, and working with people. But I think most importantly I enjoy the overall challenge. That is why I choose to go into medicine," Powell stated.

When asked how he successfully balances athletics and academics, Powell responded, "Mentoring. I have had a mentor throughout my years at Southeast and that is really important. Someone out there always knows how to do it, all it takes is seeking out that person to help you." Powell has also repaid that help, as he to has been a student mentor, helping out those who seek his knowledge.

Powell's accomplishments do not stop there. Also at Southeast he has been named to the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll twice, been awarded the Southeast Student Athlete Award three times, been a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Council, and been a Special Olympics volunteer.

But Isaac does not look to win individual achievements or gain recognition from what he accomplishes. When asked about personal season goals, Powell shied away from setting individual goals. "Individual accomplishments will come when our team is successful. I look to help the team as best I can and don't worry about winning individual awards," Powell said.

Southeast Head Coach Tim Billings had nothing but praise for Isaac. "Isaac is an excellent player, leader of our defense, and the one player that his teammates look to in making the big plays at crucial times. But on top of that, Isaac is a quality person that has great discipline on the field and in the classroom. In my opinion, all the great players I have been associated with, including quarterback Chad Pennington at Marshall, have had their priorities set straight on and off the field. That is what makes Isaac a great player and an even better individual off the field," Billings commented.

Billings added, "Isaac has the leadership qualities that set him above everyone else. When he has something to say, people are going to listen. He is not only a leader at this university but he will be a leader in the community someday."

Powell, who was also recruited by Missouri, Truman State, and Southwest Missouri, attended Hazelwood Central High School in Florrisant, Mo. At Hazelwood, Powell, the captain of the football team, was a free safety and wide receiver and help lead Hazelwood to the Missouri State Championship during his senior season. Isaac was also named all-conference football for two seasons. Besides playing on the gridiron, Isaac also was the captain of the basketball team, where he won all-district and all-conference honors and also competed in track and baseball for two seasons apiece.

It seems the Powell always looks for the challenging opportunity. While many people come to college and coast by for four years, Powell has looked for the available challenges. Instead of doing just enough to get by, Isaac sought out the challenging situations and environments and placed himself in the thick of them. "I think my greatest achievement has been to simply come to college and succeed on the field and in the classroom," Powell said. When asked if he was a role model Powell stated, "I just do what I am suppose to do and if others want to follow in that same path, then that is great." For all intensive purposes, Powell has definitely put the word student back into the term student-athlete.