Francisco Repeats as Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar Athlete
11/20/2024 12:32:00 PM | Football
Posted a 3.95 GPA while completing his mechanical engineering studies in three years.
WASHINGTON-- Rice running back Christian Francisco, who completed his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in just three years while earning playing time as a walk-on despite two knee injuries, has been named a Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete for the second year in a row.
Francisco compiled a 3.95 grade-point average and completed the coursework in his major in three years by taking grad-level courses early and organizing a summer class with one of his favorite professors to stay ahead of schedule while overcoming a pair of knee injuries. As part of his senior capstone project, Francisco developed a rehabilitation device for postoperative bedridden orthopedic surgery patients.
Francisco has received the conference commissioner's academic medal and has been named to the conference all-academic team. He is also a member of the Rice University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and serves as a peer academic advisor for teammates, tutoring them in math, science, and computer science.
"Christian Francisco is an outstanding example of everything a scholar-athlete should be," said Julie Griswold, associate director/academic advising for athletics at Rice. "The mechanical engineering curriculum is incredibly demanding, both in the depth and the breadth of courses required, and Christian has excelled in all of his classes. His technical knowledge in the classroom is very strong, and he is a frequent and helpful part of class discussions. Christian has also shown himself to be a terrific leader for his peers, building teams and advocating for additional educational opportunities for other students."
The Go Bowling Military Bowl's STEM Scholar-Athlete Program recognizes some of the brightest minds competing on the gridiron in the ACC and the American Athletic Conference.
"The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program honors an amazing group of young men who truly showcase what it means to be a student-athlete," Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. "We are thrilled to honor this group of talented players for their success on and off the field while continually challenging themselves in the classroom."
The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program honors one football player at each university that is a member of the ACC and the American Athletic Conference – the two conferences that are represented in the Go Bowling Military Bowl college football game. These players are studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) subjects and/or aspire to STEM careers.
The two players whose teams compete in the 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl will be recognized at the game, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Kickoff is at 5:45 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN. Bowl tickets are on sale now. A donation will be made in the name of these two players to their respective school's general scholarship fund.
The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athletes from the ACC are:
• Boston College defensive back Jamareeh "Bugg" Jones, a redshirt junior majoring in engineering.
• Cal defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina, a graduate student studying public health.
• Clemson kicker Hogan Morton, a junior majoring in genetics.
• Duke linebacker Nick Morris Jr., a redshirt junior majoring in economics with a minor in computer science.
• Florida State defensive lineman Grady Kelly, a redshirt junior majoring in exercise physiology.
• Georgia Tech long snapper Henry Freer, a graduate student studying for his Ph.D. in chemical and biomolecular engineering.
• Louisville tight end Duane Martin, a senior majoring in exercise science.
• Miami long snapper Mason Napper, a graduate student studying applied physiology.
• North Carolina defensive lineman Kaimon Rucker, a graduate student studying psychology.
• N.C. State punter Caden Noonkester, a graduate student with a degree in crop and soil sciences.
• Notre Dame tight end Davis Sherwood, a senior majoring in science-business.
• Pitt linebacker Dylan Bennett, a redshirt junior majoring in exercise science.
• SMU safety Isaiah Nwokobia, a junior studying sports performance leadership.
• Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor, a redshirt sophomore majoring in computer science.
• Syracuse kicker Brady Denaburg, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering.
• Virginia punter Daniel Sparks, a graduate student studying biology.
• Virginia Tech kicker John Love, a redshirt sophomore majoring in biology.
• Wake Forest wide receiver Taylor Morin, a graduate student studying engineering.
The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athletes from the American Athletic Conference are:
• Alabama-Birmingham defensive lineman Ezra Odinjor, a redshirt freshman majoring in computer science.
• Army linebacker Andon Thomas, a junior studying chemical engineering.
• Charlotte linebacker Osita Ekwonu, a graduate student studying computing and informatics.
• East Carolina punter Luke Larsen, a junior majoring in industrial distribution and logistics.
• Florida Atlantic offensive lineman Federico Maranges, a graduate student studying biomedical sciences.
• Memphis linebacker Donovan Mathena, a redshirt sophomore studying health sciences.
• Navy punter Riley Riethman, a senior studying aerospace engineering.
• North Texas center Tyler Mercer, a freshman studying mechanical engineering.
• Rice running back Christian Francisco, a redshirt junior studying mechanical engineering.
• South Florida wide receiver Christian Helms, a graduate student studying exercise science.
• Temple wide receiver Kyle Madden, a redshirt junior majoring in industrial and systems engineering.
• Tulane wide receiver Dickson Agu, a sophomore majoring in neuroscience.
• Tulsa defensive lineman Tai Newhouse, a redshirt sophomore majoring in health sciences.
• Texas-San Antonio wide receiver Patrick Overmyer, a redshirt freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.
Proceeds from the Bowl benefit Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation's retreat for wounded, ill and injured service members, their families and caregivers
For the latest updates on the Go Bowling Military Bowl, visit militarybowl.org, follow @MilitaryBowl on Twitter and Instagram and like Military Bowl on Facebook! To plan your trip to Annapolis, go to Visit Annapolis.
ABOUT THE GO BOWLING MILITARY BOWL
The Go Bowling Military Bowl is the National Capital Region's college football postseason bowl game broadcast on ESPN and featuring a matchup between teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the American Athletic Conference at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Organized by the Military Bowl Foundation, the Bowl's mission is to benefit our nation's service members including the operation of Patriot Point, a 294-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland's Eastern Shore. For the latest updates, visit militarybowl.org, follow @MilitaryBowl on Twitter and Instagram and like Military Bowl on Facebook! The 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl starts on December 28 at 5:45 p.m. ET.
ABOUT THE MILITARY BOWL FOUNDATION
The Military Bowl Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates premier events in the National Capital Region to benefit our nation's service members. Originally formed to create the region's first-ever college football postseason bowl game, the Foundation now not only runs the Go Bowling Military Bowl but additionally operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The Foundation hosts engaging events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for military service members, directly impacting those who give so much of themselves for the country.
Francisco compiled a 3.95 grade-point average and completed the coursework in his major in three years by taking grad-level courses early and organizing a summer class with one of his favorite professors to stay ahead of schedule while overcoming a pair of knee injuries. As part of his senior capstone project, Francisco developed a rehabilitation device for postoperative bedridden orthopedic surgery patients.
Francisco has received the conference commissioner's academic medal and has been named to the conference all-academic team. He is also a member of the Rice University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and serves as a peer academic advisor for teammates, tutoring them in math, science, and computer science.
"Christian Francisco is an outstanding example of everything a scholar-athlete should be," said Julie Griswold, associate director/academic advising for athletics at Rice. "The mechanical engineering curriculum is incredibly demanding, both in the depth and the breadth of courses required, and Christian has excelled in all of his classes. His technical knowledge in the classroom is very strong, and he is a frequent and helpful part of class discussions. Christian has also shown himself to be a terrific leader for his peers, building teams and advocating for additional educational opportunities for other students."
The Go Bowling Military Bowl's STEM Scholar-Athlete Program recognizes some of the brightest minds competing on the gridiron in the ACC and the American Athletic Conference.
"The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program honors an amazing group of young men who truly showcase what it means to be a student-athlete," Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. "We are thrilled to honor this group of talented players for their success on and off the field while continually challenging themselves in the classroom."
The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program honors one football player at each university that is a member of the ACC and the American Athletic Conference – the two conferences that are represented in the Go Bowling Military Bowl college football game. These players are studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) subjects and/or aspire to STEM careers.
The two players whose teams compete in the 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl will be recognized at the game, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Kickoff is at 5:45 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN. Bowl tickets are on sale now. A donation will be made in the name of these two players to their respective school's general scholarship fund.
The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athletes from the ACC are:
• Boston College defensive back Jamareeh "Bugg" Jones, a redshirt junior majoring in engineering.
• Cal defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina, a graduate student studying public health.
• Clemson kicker Hogan Morton, a junior majoring in genetics.
• Duke linebacker Nick Morris Jr., a redshirt junior majoring in economics with a minor in computer science.
• Florida State defensive lineman Grady Kelly, a redshirt junior majoring in exercise physiology.
• Georgia Tech long snapper Henry Freer, a graduate student studying for his Ph.D. in chemical and biomolecular engineering.
• Louisville tight end Duane Martin, a senior majoring in exercise science.
• Miami long snapper Mason Napper, a graduate student studying applied physiology.
• North Carolina defensive lineman Kaimon Rucker, a graduate student studying psychology.
• N.C. State punter Caden Noonkester, a graduate student with a degree in crop and soil sciences.
• Notre Dame tight end Davis Sherwood, a senior majoring in science-business.
• Pitt linebacker Dylan Bennett, a redshirt junior majoring in exercise science.
• SMU safety Isaiah Nwokobia, a junior studying sports performance leadership.
• Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor, a redshirt sophomore majoring in computer science.
• Syracuse kicker Brady Denaburg, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering.
• Virginia punter Daniel Sparks, a graduate student studying biology.
• Virginia Tech kicker John Love, a redshirt sophomore majoring in biology.
• Wake Forest wide receiver Taylor Morin, a graduate student studying engineering.
The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athletes from the American Athletic Conference are:
• Alabama-Birmingham defensive lineman Ezra Odinjor, a redshirt freshman majoring in computer science.
• Army linebacker Andon Thomas, a junior studying chemical engineering.
• Charlotte linebacker Osita Ekwonu, a graduate student studying computing and informatics.
• East Carolina punter Luke Larsen, a junior majoring in industrial distribution and logistics.
• Florida Atlantic offensive lineman Federico Maranges, a graduate student studying biomedical sciences.
• Memphis linebacker Donovan Mathena, a redshirt sophomore studying health sciences.
• Navy punter Riley Riethman, a senior studying aerospace engineering.
• North Texas center Tyler Mercer, a freshman studying mechanical engineering.
• Rice running back Christian Francisco, a redshirt junior studying mechanical engineering.
• South Florida wide receiver Christian Helms, a graduate student studying exercise science.
• Temple wide receiver Kyle Madden, a redshirt junior majoring in industrial and systems engineering.
• Tulane wide receiver Dickson Agu, a sophomore majoring in neuroscience.
• Tulsa defensive lineman Tai Newhouse, a redshirt sophomore majoring in health sciences.
• Texas-San Antonio wide receiver Patrick Overmyer, a redshirt freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.
Proceeds from the Bowl benefit Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation's retreat for wounded, ill and injured service members, their families and caregivers
For the latest updates on the Go Bowling Military Bowl, visit militarybowl.org, follow @MilitaryBowl on Twitter and Instagram and like Military Bowl on Facebook! To plan your trip to Annapolis, go to Visit Annapolis.
ABOUT THE GO BOWLING MILITARY BOWL
The Go Bowling Military Bowl is the National Capital Region's college football postseason bowl game broadcast on ESPN and featuring a matchup between teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the American Athletic Conference at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Organized by the Military Bowl Foundation, the Bowl's mission is to benefit our nation's service members including the operation of Patriot Point, a 294-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland's Eastern Shore. For the latest updates, visit militarybowl.org, follow @MilitaryBowl on Twitter and Instagram and like Military Bowl on Facebook! The 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl starts on December 28 at 5:45 p.m. ET.
ABOUT THE MILITARY BOWL FOUNDATION
The Military Bowl Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates premier events in the National Capital Region to benefit our nation's service members. Originally formed to create the region's first-ever college football postseason bowl game, the Foundation now not only runs the Go Bowling Military Bowl but additionally operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The Foundation hosts engaging events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for military service members, directly impacting those who give so much of themselves for the country.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02