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Football: Thompson makes Lowe’s list
By Jonathan Okanes
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 12:02 pm in Mid-week.
Cal senior cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson has been named one of 30 candidates for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, given annually to the senior who excels both on and off the field. Two other Pac-10 players are candidates — USC safety Taylor Mays and Arizona State linebacker Mike Nixon. Here’s the full press release, with more on the award.
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September 2nd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Good for Syd’Quan. That kid has come a long way in his time at Cal, not only at corner, but it also sounds like as a student and individual. I’d like to hear more stories on Syd’Quan, both on and off field, if that’s possible J.O.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Syd is in every way, a gentle giant. You’d hardly expect he was a terror on the field when you meet him. He’s not flashy at all. Very soft-spoken and reserved. He rarely initiates the conversation. He’s always wearing baggy clothing, so you never get a hint of the muscle he’s carrying that would confirm he’s an athlete.
Hard working, polite, and devoted to his family. He could have left last year, but he came back. Sure — part of that was thinking he could improve his standing in the draft, but he also came back because he wanted his daughter to know that he was a student as well as an athlete. He spent the spring and the summer taking difficult required classes instead of just easy courses. In the summer, each day he had 3 hours of class time. And then each night he had studying to do. When the midterms for those two summer classes came, Syd wasn’t lucky. One midterm was on Wednesday and the other on the immediately following Thursday and he did very well on both. He easily passed both classes. He put in the work necessary and he did his own work.
Syd doesn’t expect much or ask for much. He let me know he liked a certain type of candy one day — just an offhanded comment, and since I keep a candy bowl in my office, I made sure to stock it with Syd’s favorite. When he noticed what was in the bowl, and how I must’ve remembered his comment, he just beamed. A small thing like me making the gesture to stock his favorite candy made him beam. It takes a lot to get Syd to smile, but when he does, it’s a real good smile.
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Not sure if you’re just fooling with me Golden Bear, but if you really know Syd, thanks for the info—that’s the impression I get from him as well. Sounds like a great kid and since he’s so quiet and non self promotional, he rarely gets the kind of off-field recognition he deserves. I hope he gets it this season as well as a Rose Bowl or NC, and a high draft pick.
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
GoldenBear,
that is some really cool inside info in Syd’Quan as a person. thank you for sharing.
would love to know your role working with SQ and the other players (i’m thinking some kind of academic support) but i’d happily settle for you sharing more stories.
go BEARS!