Academics Important To Means

Nov. 6, 2002

By Joel Lauritzen
Sports Information Student Assistant

Roderick Means' career at CMU did not start out the way he would have liked. After being redshirted and dealing with injuries, Means did not get a chance to start until the Eastern Michigan game last season. But, he still remembers his first game in a CMU jersey.

"My greatest experience in football would have to be my first college game," Means said. "It was a big rush, I knew I wasn't going to play, but it was just a big rush being in the college surrounding."

Whether Means was starting or on the bench waiting for his chance to play, he always had the support of family.

"I have always had family and friends behind me," Means said. "My dad and brother try to make every game they can. Even when I wasn't playing a lot and I told them they didn't have to come, they still did. Just by having them there it helps me play better. I feel I have to perform for them."

Playing football for Central Michigan University takes a lot of dedication -- to the year-round conditioning and to your teammates.

"Teammates go through so much stuff, they have become like brothers to me," Means said. "A lot of players never forget their teammates, and I will have teammates that will be my friends for life."

After earning 10 varsity letters at Robichaud High School and being named second team all-state, Means chose CMU over Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Bowling Green, and Northern Illinois.

Means' father, Roderick, played football at Eastern Michigan but did not push for the younger Means to go to Eastern Michigan.

"He actually told me not to go to Eastern," Means said. "He told me to go somewhere and experience my own college life. I did not expect him to say that."

The Central Michigan University versus Western Michigan is a big game every year. For Means, the game has a special meaning.

Besides the fact that Roderick is a senior, CMU's season finale marks his last game against the rival Broncos. Means will be on opposite sidelines with friend and high school teammate, Jason Malloy.

Jason and Roderick both played high school football at Robichaud and were planning on playing for Toledo, but the plans fell through. The end result was Malloy heading to Western and Roderick to CMU.

Means and Malloy have managed to keep in touch throughout the years. Usually, the friends find a time to talk once a week and chat about how the season is going.

"When Jason and I talk, we usually find out how each other did in the game that week," Means said. "We usually talk about coaches, or we joke about how we are going to expose each other, but we always try to encourage each other."

The last time Malloy came up to Mount Pleasant, the once-beaten Broncos left with a 21-17 loss in 2000.

"He tried to act like he wasn't upset but I think he was. We are still friends, though," Means said laughing.

Both players have played key roles in their teams. Malloy, a linebacker, is sixth on the Broncos team with 33 tackles while having three sacks and an interception.

Means is tied for fourth on the Chippewas with receptions (17), third in receiving yards (234), and has one touchdown on the season.

The pair even got a chance to hang out over the summer and play the video game NCAA Football 2003. They played the Western-CMU game in Mount Pleasant. In this game, Means and his Chippewas got beat pretty bad.

"I think NCAA 2003 is his game. He is good at it and destroyed me," Means said. "I thought it was pretty funny playing that game, though."

Academics has been a big part of Mean's stay at CMU.

When Means isn't on the field, he spends a lot of time tackling the books. He currently has a 3.1 GPA and as of last spring could have graduated with a degree in management information systems. That wasn't enough for Means.

This year, Means has been working on his second major in production management and should be completed by the end of spring. Means will then most likely look into an internship before heading for a career as a plant manager.

When looking back at all accomplishments outside of football, Roderick takes most pride in his grades.

"My greatest accomplishment outside of football would have to be my 3.4 GPA last fall," Means said.

"That was pretty important. I really buckled down and started on my major. I want to impress future companies with my grades."