2008 Woodie Awards
Center wants to help kids, teach
Kyle Hansen
Issue date: 5/15/07 Section: Sports
Marcel Burrough isn't sure where he will be a year after graduating, but it isn't going to be San Jose.
Burrough will be going to Kawasaki, Japan this summer to play on the U.S. team in the third annual World Championship of American Football. He then hopes to get in the Peace Corps or some other group that will allow him to travel and work with children in a foreign country.
"It is all part of your life experience," Burrough said. "Everything you do in your life adds up and creates what you are going to be."
Burrough said that he hopes spending time in a foreign country will help shape him.
"It is different to actually be there," he said, "and it makes you appreciate what you have."
After doing some traveling, Burrough hopes to return to the United States, get a teaching credential and teach elementary school.
Burrough graduates this month with a sociology degree after spending three years at San Jose State University playing football. The offensive guard said that he is probably at the end of his football career, but he is excited about the adventures ahead of him.
Burrough spent time over the last year volunteering at the Sacred Heart Community Service Center and said he hopes to remain active in similar work helping people.
"He is a good guy," said roommate and fellow football player Justin Paysinger, who has lived with Burrough for three years. "He is a really dedicated football player, a loyal friend. He is trustworthy and a hard worker."
Paysinger said that working with kids is a natural fit for Burrough.
"It fits his personality and works really well for him," he said. "He has a real passion for that and he will do well."
Burrough's father Ken said that he is really proud of his son and his accomplishments. He said that the family was not really interested in football until Marcel decided he wanted to play at SJSU.
"We are football fans now because of him and the Spartans," he said.
"The whole family is extremely proud of him," Ken said. "The No.1 thing is that he is the first in the family to graduate and get a degree, and the No. 2 thing is that he was able to get a football scholarship on his own without a lot of family support."
Burrough's father said that there is a lot more to his son than just the football player that usually gets the attention.
"He is going to come out of San Jose State as a tremendous role model for the youth," he said. "That is where his passion is. He is going to take everything he has learned on the field and in school and make a contribution to the community."
Burrough will be going to Kawasaki, Japan this summer to play on the U.S. team in the third annual World Championship of American Football. He then hopes to get in the Peace Corps or some other group that will allow him to travel and work with children in a foreign country.
"It is all part of your life experience," Burrough said. "Everything you do in your life adds up and creates what you are going to be."
Burrough said that he hopes spending time in a foreign country will help shape him.
"It is different to actually be there," he said, "and it makes you appreciate what you have."
After doing some traveling, Burrough hopes to return to the United States, get a teaching credential and teach elementary school.
Burrough graduates this month with a sociology degree after spending three years at San Jose State University playing football. The offensive guard said that he is probably at the end of his football career, but he is excited about the adventures ahead of him.
Burrough spent time over the last year volunteering at the Sacred Heart Community Service Center and said he hopes to remain active in similar work helping people.
"He is a good guy," said roommate and fellow football player Justin Paysinger, who has lived with Burrough for three years. "He is a really dedicated football player, a loyal friend. He is trustworthy and a hard worker."
Paysinger said that working with kids is a natural fit for Burrough.
"It fits his personality and works really well for him," he said. "He has a real passion for that and he will do well."
Burrough's father Ken said that he is really proud of his son and his accomplishments. He said that the family was not really interested in football until Marcel decided he wanted to play at SJSU.
"We are football fans now because of him and the Spartans," he said.
"The whole family is extremely proud of him," Ken said. "The No.1 thing is that he is the first in the family to graduate and get a degree, and the No. 2 thing is that he was able to get a football scholarship on his own without a lot of family support."
Burrough's father said that there is a lot more to his son than just the football player that usually gets the attention.
"He is going to come out of San Jose State as a tremendous role model for the youth," he said. "That is where his passion is. He is going to take everything he has learned on the field and in school and make a contribution to the community."
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