Michael Vick

Michael Vick, a senior and aviation science major from Prescott, Ariz. and runner on the UVSC track team, was recently named to ESPN The Magazine’s Second Team Academic All-District team in men’s track and field and cross country – the first in UVSC history. At the Pomona College meet this summer, Vick set a school, meet and course record in the 10,000-meter race with a time of 31:30.56.  He also holds a 3.95 grade point average.

But running hasn’t always been easy for Vick. In the sixth grade, doctors told him he had growth plates in his feet and that he would never run again. But Vick was determined to prove them wrong.

“I think it’s sort of humorous and ironic,” he said. “I guess I showed them!”

After the diagnosis, he took five years off from running, and then decided to give it another shot. “The high school track coach saw me run and asked me to run for him, so I did. The rest is history.”

“Being a student athlete has helped me get through a lot,” Vick added. “Track has been very motivating and has helped give me the confidence that I could succeed in the class room.” 

Vick is equally as passionate about his major as he is about track. He developed a love for flying when, as a young boy, his father would take him to aviation shows in Arizona. “I’ve always found it fascinating. Ever since then, being a pilot is all I have ever wanted to do.” 

And UVSC was the perfect place for Vick to realize both his athletic and aviation dreams. “I have enjoyed the small class sizes and the friendly atmosphere at UVSC,” he said. “It’s not like you are just another number, you can actually become friends with your teachers.”