Ryan Creps '12 in Cairo

As we've mentioned before, recent Pioneer Football graduate Ryan Creps '12 has embarked on a adventure that is atypical yet so very Grinnellian.  After living his entire life in Grinnell, Iowa and never having traveled outside the country until his junior year, he's now spending at least one year living in Cairo, Egypt working at a University.

Follow Ryan's year along the Nile at his blog, which already has some great stories and photos from his first few weeks.

Ryan Creps' First Job

For a guy that had never been out of the country before enrolling at Grinnell College, local Grinnell High School product Ryan Creps '12 sure has come a long ways.  He spent a semester abroad in South Africa during his junior year and now, after graduation this May, he'll be heading to Egypt for his first job:

Upon graduation, I am moving to Egypt where I have accepted a position as a Presidential Scholar in the Development Office at the American University in Cairo (AUC) for the 2012-13 academic school year. As the Development Intern, I will work closely with the Associate Vice President for Development on various tasks, such as writing grant proposals and coordinating administrative duties.

The Presidential Scholars Program at AUC is designed to provide recent college graduates with the chance to work at an international university, learn Arabic, and live in the cultural center of the Middle East. I am excited for the opportunity to live abroad, to gain valuable experience working at a premiere international university, and to learn more about the Middle East.

Congrats Ryan and good luck in Egypt! 

Pioneer Awards Announced!

This past Sunday night, the 2011 Grinnell Pioneer football team gathered together for one final time at the team banquet. Along with great desserts (provided by Missy Dostal) and some bad jokes, the 2011 Pioneer football awards were announced.

Dick Ullrich '33 Award (Most Valuable Offensive or Defensive Back): Robert Seer '12

Abe Rosenbloom '34 Award (Most Valuable Offensive or Defensive Lineman): Chris Jarmon '12

Steve Kriegel Award (for dedication, desire, and determination): Ryan Creps '12

Troy Barboza Award (Most Inspirational): Tom Brinkman '13

Offensive Backs/Receiver Player of the Year:  Robert Seer '12

Defensive Backs Player of the Year:  Drew Blumberg '13

Offensive Linemen of the Year:  Chris Jarmon '12 and Morgan Kinsinger '14

Defensive Lineman of the Year:  Tom Brinkman '13

Special Teams Most Valuable Player: Max Jacobson '14

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Isaac Chadri '15

Defensive Rookie of the Year: David Ternes '15

Following the most successful back-to-back campaigns since 1999-2000, the Scarlet & Black are poised to make another jump into the very top of the MWC in 2012.  We open on September 1st, 2012 versus Carleton College!

Go Pioneers!

Pioneers Fall in Season Finale

It was Senior Day and the Season Finale this past Saturday at Rosenbloom Field and the host Pioneers fell short against the visitors from Carroll University, 31-21. 

Despite gaining more total yardage (403-282) and winning the turnover battle (3-1), Grinnell wasn't able to over come the field position battle and fell behind early before the late rally fell short.

Offensively, Robert Seer '12 and Logan Granera '12, one last time, paced the Scarlet & Black with a combined 256 yards receiving and 1 TD among their 14 catches. 

Defensively, the Pioneers were about as balanced as possible.  Drew Blumberg '13 led the unit with 11 tackles, but 10 players had at least 5 tackles AND at least .5 TFL.  The Pioneers also had 2 INT (Andrew Clark '14 and Max Keller '14).

Drew Blumberg (#44) '13 and Max Keller (#20) '14 combine for a tackle

Players of the week:

Offense: Logan Granera '12
Defense: Matt John '12 and Ryan Creps '12
Practice: Harpreet Singh-Mann '12

The Pioneers finish the 2011 campaign at 5-5 (4-5 in MWC) good for 6th in the league.  The last two seasons have been the most successful back-to-back years since the 1999-2000 seasons that combined for 12 victories.

We bid farewell to Jimmy Borrasso, Ryan Creps, Kelsey Davis, Logan Granera, Chris Jarmon, Matt John, Stephen Hudak, Robert Seer, Harpreet Singh-Mann, and Brian Westerlind!  Thank you for all that you have done for Grinnell College Football.  You will be missed!

2011 Senior Profiles: Ryan Creps

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each Thursday, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  Next up... senior linebacker and captain, Ryan Creps...

Name: Ryan Creps

Hometown: Grinnell, Iowa

High School: Grinnell High School           

Major: Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?

Out of all of the schools I considered, Grinnell presented me the most unique college experience. Grinnell has a great academic reputation and the best academic and athletic facilities in D3. Moreover, the school’s diverse and international focus meant I was able to stay in my hometown and develop a global perspective. The icing on the cake was the chance to continue playing football in front of my friends and family. Most importantly, Grinnell was able to make this experience very affordable for my family.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Check back with me in December.

Plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to live and work abroad for a few years before returning to the United States, where I plan to pursue a career in higher education administration.

Favorite Professional Sports Team:
Kansas City Chiefs

Favorite Division I team:
Iowa Hawkeyes

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food:
Colder Weather, Zac Brown Band
Freakonomics and Super Freakonomics, Steven Levitt

Forrest Gump

Mexican food

Favorite Course at Grinnell:
Historical Perspectives on U.S. Education, Deborah Michaels

Interesting facts about you:
Before coming to Grinnell, I had never been on an airplane or outside the Central Standard Time Zone. Proudly, I can say neither of those are true anymore.

Ryan Creps Study Abroad in South Africa!

Linebacker Ryan Creps '12 is studying abroad this semester in Cape Town, South Africa.  We asked Ryan to update us a little bit on his experience and this is what he had to say:

After spending every winter in the snowy Midwest, I decided to take a tip from the birds and head south this winter for a semester abroad at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. As a small town Iowan, who had never left the central time zone or been on an airplane before heading to college, I have found my time in Cape Town to be quite a learning experience.  Not to mention, the enrollment of UCT is 23,000, over twice the size of my hometown! However, I have yet to be overwhelmed and I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Cape Town thus far.

With the mountains and beaches each within thirty minutes of my apartment, my weekends have been filled with plenty of outdoor adventures. As midterm break is fast approaching, I have made plans to spend a week at Kruger National Park on a safari and a few days in Gaborone, Botswana, where other Grinnellians are currently studying. Likewise, over the Easter holiday, I will be spending a week with a group of friends camping and sand surfing in deserts of Namibia. I have had a blast this semester and would study abroad again if given the opportunity. However, spending the offseason thousands of miles away from my teammates has been difficult. I found an excellent gym that allows me to complete my workouts and email, Skype, and Facebook have made staying in contact with the team simple. Yet, the camaraderie developed during 6 am workouts, the competitive intensity of 7-on-7, and the constant presences of forty other guys working towards a common goal cannot be replicated by technology. Though I could stay in Cape Town forever, I am exciting to get back to Grinnell and spend the summer with my teammates, preparing for the 2011 season.

Media Day

Before our scrimmage on Saturday afternoon the local media came out to interview and take some candid pictures of the players, some of which resembled some of the classic poses like this:

It was a beautiful day and we got some great and memorable pictures!

Junior linbacker Ryan Creps

Junior running back Nick Hinojosa following the lead block of junior guard Chris Jarmon

                                          

And the best looking coaching staff in the country!