North Carolina State University Athletics
Program Spotlight: Zach Powell
9/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 6, 2011
Raleigh, N.C. -
Senior defensive back Zach Powell grew up the biggest NC State fan, so it was only natural that this would be his dream school to attend.
His dad grew up on Avent Ferry Road, and his grandparents still live there. His family, uncles, aunts and cousins included, attend every home game.
"I've been watching NC State my whole life," said Powell. "I didn't even apply to another school. Some smaller schools were recruiting me to play football, but I just wanted to come here and be a walk-on.
"My family has been such a big support during my career. I love how I can still get to drive home and have a good dinner with my family, because I know a lot of my teammates don't have that luxury. Them coming to every home game means an awful lot to me. NC State has always been a big part of my family, and I know they're proud of me for how hard I've worked over the years."
The life of a walk-on sometimes isn't the easiest. These players put in the same amount of time as their teammates, but usually do not get the playing time come Saturdays.
"The life of a walk-on can be tough," said Powell. "If my motivation was just to play football, then I'm not sure if I would still be here but rather playing at a smaller school. One of my favorite things about being on this team is to just be around the guys and working out with them."
Powell's motivation for continuing with the Pack program is quit different from most college players, something he attributes back to his high school days playing for coach David Riggs at Fuquay-Varina High School
"I just want to be an example of a person that follows Jesus, and be there for my teammates no matter what they need," said Powell.
"Coach Riggs was a really big influence on me. He taught me a lot of things about Jesus that I didn't even really know he was doing. He taught me about working as a team, and to put others before yourself. There are so many things in the Bible that go straight along with football. He was a big mentor to me."
Powell and Riggs stay in constant contact, and Riggs couldn't be prouder of Powell during his time at NC State.
"Zach has always been a hard-nosed kid," said Riggs. "He has been very persevering during his college career, being a part of a team as a walk-on. He's a top-notched responsible kid, also look for ways to get better both on and off the field. He's always asking questions, and just trying to better himself. It's been a great pleasure to have seen him mature over the years, and see the type of person he's become."
After coming to NC State, Powell tried out for the football team right before his first semester was about to start but did not make the team. That was a time that Powell says he made the biggest in his life.
"I wasn't playing football my freshman year, but I got involved and accepted," said Powell. "I've always been told that Jesus died for you, but I really didn't realize what that meant until I accepted Him.
Powell now attends the Vintage 21 church in downtown Raleigh, non-denominational Act 29 network church.
"We have community groups, and Bible study," said Powell. "We try to make it not just about Sundays; it also involves activities outside of the regular church services.
He is also involved in Athletes in Action on campus.
"It's a Christian Ministry that is geared towards athletes on campus," said Powell. "We feel that athletes are leaders not just on the field, but off and in the classroom that people look up too. We're trying to use the platform of sports because that is such an easy way to spread the word of Christ.
"That is one of my main motivations for playing football here at NC State as a walk-on. Four seasons can be a long time not playing much, but I know my role and am so willing to help this program out any way I can. My main motivation is to show Christ that I'm a good teammate."
Powell is preparing for his last season in a Wolfpack uniform, and gets excited talking about the upcoming season.
"All I've been thinking about this preseason is how this will be my last go-around," said Powell. "I just want to make every day like it's my last, not to leave anything out on the field. I just want us to have the best season we can, and fill whatever role the coaches ask of me to the best of my ability.
"I think my role is to just to be a good teammate, and to put others before myself. There are a lot of ways I can do that. I continue to work on the scout team, and get the offense ready every week. Just going around and picking up somebody when they're down if they had a bad day. Being older, I've learned the defense and offense and I can teach the younger guys."
Powell is still leaving some doors open for after he graduates this spring.
"I switched majors three times, and right now I'm in science technology and society," said Powell. "It's a pretty wide open major, one that I think will give me a lot of options after school.
"I'm going to try to go to grad school and try to get an education degree and certification. Right now I'm trying to figure out what kind of teacher I want to be, I'm pretty much wide open from physical education to science to math. I want to get into coaching and mentoring high school kids after I graduate."
In the week before the Pack's season opener, head coach Tom O'Brien announced that Powell earned a scholarship for his final season.
"Every community service project we've ever done, Zach has always been at the forefront," O'Brien said. "He has been a great kid, and he deserves a scholarship for his last year."
