North Carolina State University Athletics
Haynes' World: The Anonymous Engineer
7/23/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 23, 2001
By Tony Haynes
NC State's William Brown is no different than most offensive linemen. In other words, he does his work on college football Saturdays in relative anonymity. The only people who really give offensive linemen the credit they deserve are 1,000-yard running backs, quarterbacks with clean uniforms, and proud mamas and papas.
But if you don't care to take an interest in what Brown does on the football field, at least consider his academic credentials. When he's not cutting down defensive tackles on a trap play, the 6-1, 273 pound left guard is maintaining a three-plus grade point average in electrical engineering.
"My father pushed me into that major," Brown said. "He's an engineer and has his own company. I saw he was doing that well, so I figured I might as well try it too. It's rough, but I've gotten a little too deep into it now to get out. I might as well stick it out and graduate."
That shouldn't be a problem for someone who has won numerous academic awards already. As a redshirt freshman in 1998, Brown captured the Earle Edwards Award, which is given each year to the Wolfpack player with the highest academic average. The Richmond, Virginia native also received the 2000 Arthur Ashe Sports Scholarship Award, which is named after the late tennis star from Brown's hometown.
Given the level of commitment that's needed to perform at a high level on both the football field and the classroom, it's amazing Brown has continued to excel in both areas.
"I would have to say that the hardest time I had last year was the week of the Carolina game," Brown said. "I think I got a total of 12 hours sleep the week of the game. Due to work from engineering, I had projects to do and lab time to take care of. During the game I was drained. It's pretty tough. It takes a lot of dedication and you don't have much of a social life."
There have been times when Brown questioned whether it was all worth it. The daily grind during the fall never ends. Wake up early, go to class all morning, get suited up for practice, watch film, and then go home to study. The routine rarely changes. Maybe Brown's theme movie should be Ground Hog Day.
"My freshman year I used to study all the time and I wondered why I didn't see anybody else studying as much as I did," he said. "I used to tell myself that it would pay off in the long run. It helps to get a little recognition for something that you do. Deep down inside I knew that was what I was supposed to be doing, but the recognition just made me want to drive a little harder."
Recognition on the football field, however, will be harder to come by. The only time offensive linemen are noticed is when they miss a block to give up a sack. Flashy statistics are for quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs. But it is the unsung work of those big guys up front that often makes those flashy stats possible.
"The only time I ever get my name called is when I recover a fumble or something goes wrong," Brown said. "It might sound bad, but I fantasize about somebody running towards the end zone and fumbling before they get there and I pick the ball up and run it in for a touchdown. Of course I'd have to do a dance. I might get a penalty, but it's the only touchdown I'm going to score so I might as well celebrate. If that happens, it will be entertaining."
Now that's something everyone would notice.
