For sophomore Derek Haupt, an offensive lineman for the UCA football team, choosing UCA was a “no-brainer.”

“Choosing UCA was a big decision for me. Being so far away from home, I had to really think about if this is where I wanted to go. Ultimately it came down to what I wanted to do with my major and the football program at UCA,” Haupt said. “I wanted to major in exercise science, and the department here at UCA is very good. On top of that, the football program has been a successful one in recent years, so really, it was a no-brainer.”

Haupt attended Dr. Phillips High School near Orlando, Florida, and received offers from Florida Tech, West Florida and Bethune–Cookman in Daytona Beach Florida. He received many more offers from across the country but knew UCA was the university for him.

Haupt’s love for UCA reached his expectations—even after he landed here at his destination.

“My greatest accomplishment up until now would probably be having the opportunity to play Division I football for UCA,” Haupt said.

Although juggling both a sport and classes can be very difficult for a student-athlete, Haupt said it is doable, and that it is all about balance.

“To be a student-athlete you just have to make time for your classes. The two most important things for a student-athlete are their sport and their classes,” Haupt said. 

Haupt also mentioned the importance of classes when it comes to scouting and gave advice for players that want to continue their sport at a college level.

“Some advice for players wanting to play in college would be just keep working and stay patient. If you’re good enough in the class and on the field someone will find you,” Haupt said.

Haupt started playing football at nine years old. His passion came from no one in particular but the sport itself.

“No one really inspired me to start playing. It was more of the fact that I just loved watching football on Saturdays and Sundays with my family, and I wanted to start playing,” Haupt said.

Haupt wishes to continue playing for the UCA football team and has set other goals for himself outside of the sport that he loves.

“I would like to go to PT school to become a physical therapist in the future,” Haupt said.