DePaul University Athletics
Mangan Makes History as Academic All-American
11/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Nov. 18, 2010
CHICAGO - Alex Mangan added another page to DePaul's illustrious athletics history on Thursday.
The senior forward became the first men's soccer player in the program's 29-year history to be chosen Academic All-American.
Mangan was named to the third team of the 2010 ESPN Academic All-America team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). He was the only player from the BIG EAST Conference to make it.
"I'm just surprised and honored," said Mangan, who carries a 3.86 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) in graduate school. "It's definitely very humbling for me.
"It's nice to be recognized after all the hard work in the classroom."
Mangan led the Blue Demons this season in goals with six and points with 14. He finished his career in a tie for fifth all-time in career goals with 26 and tied for seventh in career points with 56.
"I owe a lot to Triple-A (Athletics Academic Advising), especially Katie Walsh, who now works in the College of Communications," Mangan said. "She was a huge part of my academic success."
Mangan was a co-captain in 2010 with Matt Leinauer, and was an inspiring example for the 13 true freshmen on the team.
"Alex has defined what it means to be a Blue Demon by maximizing his ability and making those around him better," said DePaul soccer coach Craig Blazer. "He has been a great role model for the team---especially for all the younger guys.
"This is a great acknowledgement for Alex and a testament to his talent and perseverance."
In the summer of 2005 before arriving at DePaul, he suffered a broken left foot at a club-team practice. After a strenuous rehabilitation, he was cleared to play. The day before the season-opener, Mangan broke his right foot in practice and sat out the season.
Mangan sustained a serious head injury in a game at Marquette a year later and did not regain consciousness until arriving at the hospital. He missed the next five games.
In the 2008 season-opener, Mangan tore a ligament in his left knee, sat out the season and was later granted a medical hardship by the NCAA.
"Academically, it all clicked for me after I tore my ACL," Mangan said. "Before that, I was more focused on soccer and my goal to continue playing after college.
"That ACL injury opened my eyes to a lot of things. The academics were there to fall back on, and I started putting everything into school.
"I found something I really enjoy and love to learn about---communications. That was the key. Once I found something I loved, I put a lot of effort into it."
The soccer star with 13 game-winning goals in his career began putting up winning numbers off the field as well.
"One of my strengths, which can sometimes be a weakness, is that I am a perfectionist," Mangan said. "If I got a B+, I was upset. I wanted everything to be perfect.
"I couldn't be more grateful for where I am today and what this has all led me to become. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason."
