Above: Alan Felix, right, has his sights set on Dartmouth.
There wasn’t the slightest hesitation when three San Marino High School seniors talked about the future.
It was only the third day of fall camp, but Alan Felix, Seve Woods and Oliver Campbell already have mapped out their post-graduation journey. The process began early for some and late for others.
Felix, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman, recently attended Dartmouth’s football camp. He was invited to work out after sending several tapes. Felix holds a cumulative 4.1 GPA and is confident about meeting Dartmouth’s high academic requirements. That he’s a student-athlete makes him even more coveted.
“There were a lot of good players there,” Felix said. “It’s always a good feeling that they are looking at you, and I was proud to be chosen. I’ve wanted to go (to Dartmouth), and hopefully football can be my way there.”
Woods is a 5-foot-11 wide receiver/defensive back who has one destination in mind: West Point. Woods comes from a family of several people who at one point or another served in the military. His grandfather served in the Marines, one uncle served in Vietnam and another uncle in Korea.
It was Woods’ great-grandfather, though – who didn’t serve in the military – who had the biggest influence on him setting his sights on West Point.
“My great-grandpa always told us how great West Point is,” Woods said. “I’ve always wanted to serve in the military and serve my country.”
So much so that Woods began inquiring about West Point his freshman year, when he made sure he took the necessary courses that one day would qualify him to the prestigious academy. He got even more serious about it the summer going into his junior year.
Woods also is thinking about the Air Force Academy and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. He’d like to continue playing the same position, but made clear West Point is his first choice.
“Cal Poly is more of a safety net,” he said. “But if I get into West Point, that’s where I’ll definitely go.”
Campbell will play a bigger role at linebacker this season. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder said he wants to lead by example the same way Trent Converse (125 tackles) did before graduating. One thing different about Campbell (76 tackles) is his passion to join the Army – the Airborne Rangers, to be exact.
Over the last five years, Campbell’s eagerness to join the Army has increased, and he recently sat down and talked to a recruiter. His parents were taken aback by the news, but only at first.
“After we talked, they really supported me in my decision,” said Campbell, who added it’s possible he might play football at Army. “I know they’ll always support me in what I do.”
Campbell was within earshot and listening to Woods talk about his plans to serve his country. As it turned out, it was news to Campbell.
“He hasn’t really told anyone about it,” Campbell said. “But that’s very admirable what he’s planning on after high school.”
San Marino coach Mike Mooney, in his first season as the Titans’ head coach, knows all about his patriotic student- athletes, including senior Chris Faulkenbury, who wants to attend the Air Force Academy.
“One thing this community in general has preached is about giving back and loving your country and being grateful,” Mooney said. “It’s a new way of appreciation for the things that have been given to them.”