Player Feature: Maverick football’s Alex Goettl

Goettl is a finalist to win the William V. Campbell award 

Andrew Neururer
Sports Editor

There is only a handful amount of people that can say they have been nominated for the William V. Campbell trophy. One of them is North Mankato native, Alex Goettl. 

The William V. Campbell trophy is awarded to football players, seniors or graduate students, starters or major contributor, who have a GPA between 3.2-4.0 and demonstrate leadership and citizenship.

On top of this prestigious award, the finalists will receive a postgraduate scholarship of $18,000, with the winner taking an increased payment of $25,000

The award isn’t just offered to Division II athletes, but it goes for all NCAA football players. This year, Goettl will be going up against high profiled athletes such as Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, Ohio State safety Jordan Fuller and linebacker from Virginia, Jordan Mack.

The award ceremony will take place in New York City on Dec. 10.

Goettl, on being nominated for this award said, “It’s truly going to be an honor to represent MSU in New York for this award. I just want to thank my teammates, coaches, family, and those involved in nominating me for the award, I know it wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

He went on further to say, “The scholarship will certainly go a long way in helping me further advance my career.”

Goettl is studying biomedical sciences and is performing well academically with a GPA of 3.93. Finding time between athletics and academics isn’t an easy thing, but he still manages to focus on them both.

He said his parents have always stressed athletics, but they also helped him see the significance of being a good student. 

Goettl said, “My mom would ask me every day how my classes were going and what I was doing to prepare for my next exam.  Seeing how important my academics were to my parents has made me realize that I need to take my academics seriously as well.”

Goettl has certainly performed well in the classroom, but he’s played a helping hand in the Mavericks’ football success.

Goettl has had a big impact on the 9-0 football team this season. As a linebacker this season, he has produced 21 tackles – one sack and two for a loss of yards. On top of that, he’s started in all nine games and has added an interception and two fumble recoveries. 

This is his fourth season on the team and each year he has produced. Throughout his collegiate career, he has added 178 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, four interceptions, 11 pass deflections and four fumble recoveries.

In order to perform at a high level, Goettl doesn’t have a complicated way of preparing for games. He notes that football is a stressful game and the best way for him to get ready is to stay calm and relaxed.

In the offseason, he and the rest of the team spend a lot of time in preparation for the season. He explains that the team lifts, does position drills, seven-on-seven’s, speed and conditioning. 

Being a native of the Mankato area played a helping hand in understanding the greatness of MSU. However, his father was an alum of the school and the football team’s success in the past also helped the school land Goettl.

He went on to say, “Watching MSU play on ESPN in the national championship game in 2014 made me want to be able to do the same for MSU someday.”

This team has performed well this season, recently being crowned NSIC champions after going 8-0 in conference play. Goetll mentions the depth of the team and the ability they to rotate guys in and out. 

“Nobody on our team is worried about who gets the credit. We just enjoy playing as a collective unit,” said Goettl.

The mindset of playing as a team and not worrying about individual achievements or stats will help this team win games as they prepare for a potential championship run.

Goetll has also played a large role by volunteering in the community. Throughout his four years, he has participated in the Kiwanis Holiday Lights setup, volunteering at the Echo Food Shelf, being a judge at a science fair, as well as serving as a nursing assistant at the Oak Terrace assisted living.

As his time is coming towards the end at MSU, Goettl has built up a lot of memories. 

“My favorite memory at MSU so far has been winning the blizzard game against Tarleton State in the playoffs last year,” said Goettl.

The William V. Campbell award is a prestigious award offered to football players of all levels that have had an impact in the classroom, athletics and in the community. Goettl has done all three and will be looking to take the award come Dec. 10.

Header photo: Minnesota State linebacker Alex Goettl (49) prepares for a play against Wayne State at the Blakeslee Stadium Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Mankato, Minn. (Mansoor Ahmad/MSU Reporter)