Michael Niese, Temple University

Temple University offensive lineman Michael Niese, a graduate student with a degree in engineering who is pursuing a master’s degree in engineering, has been named a Military Bowl 3M STEM Scholar-Athlete.

Niese, who is from Chesterfield, Missouri, graduated from Dayton University in February 2020, having earned a 3.38 grade-point average as an undergraduate. He was a semifinalist this fall for the National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy, often referred to as the academic Heisman Trophy.

Niese worked at Boeing this past summer as a materials and processing engineering intern for a next generation composites group. He compared the experience to playing college football.

“Playing D-1 college football, you have to have good time management or you’re going to sink and not swim,” Niese said. “My time management skills have been strengthened by this experience.”

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.

“What an incredible collection of student-athletes, who demonstrate their leadership on the field and in the classroom while tackling challenging subjects that prepare them for the future,” Military Bowl President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “We are thrilled to honor these student-athletes for their dedication and success.”

For the two teams that participate in the 2021 Military Bowl, 3M will make a donation in the name of each school’s Military Bowl 3M STEM Scholar-Athlete Program representative to their school’s general scholarship fund, designated to be used by a STEM major from an under-represented population.

“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.”