University of Central Florida long snapper Alex Ward, who graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and is pursuing a second degree in integrated business, has been named a Military Bowl 3M Scholar-Athlete.
Ward, who is from Fort Walton Beach, has a grade-point average of 3.439. Upon graduation in December 2021, he received the UCF Order of Pegasus, the school’s highest honor that recognizes graduates who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement, university involvement, leadership and community service.
As an undergraduate, Ward had a two-year, part-time internship with Lockheed Martin and was continually on the UCF Dean’s Honor Roll. He is a four-year member of the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and recently was named a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best football scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation.
Ward also is a member of the UCF Football Leadership Council and the UCF Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
On the field, Ward is considered an NFL prospect and is on the watch list for the Mannelly Award, presented to the nation’s top long snapper.
The Military Bowl and 3M are proud to announce the members of the second annual Military Bowl 3M STEM Scholar-Athlete Program, recognizing some of the brightest minds taking the football field in the ACC and the American Athletic Conference.
“Once again the Military Bowl 3M STEM Scholar-Athlete Program is shining a light on a remarkable group of student-athletes,” Military Bowl President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “These young men are leaders on and off the field, taking head on the challenges of rigorous course work while helping their teams every Saturday.”
The Military Bowl 3M 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 Military Bowl college football game. These players are studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) subjects and/or aspire to STEM careers.
“3M is excited to recognize these outstanding students pursuing degrees in STEM-related fields,” said Skip Driessen, Director of 3M Government Markets. “We know how hard these scholar-athletes have worked on the field and in the classroom and look forward to their continued success.”
