Dvoracek Proud to Finish OU Career

Dusty Dvoracek | Senior | Football

NORMAN, Okla. -- Over the last five years at Oklahoma, Dusty Dvoracek has established three things: a successful football career, an outstanding academic record and a lifelong friend in a coach.

Dvoracek came to Oklahoma from Lake Dallas, Texas, ready to start his college football career. He had prepared for this opportunity his whole life, "Playing college football and playing in the NFL is what I always dreamed about when I was little," said Dvoracek.

In his first year as a Sooner, Dvoracek played in all 11 games as a true freshman and made his first career start against Air Force.

Dusty Dvoracek Bio & Stats | Dvoracek Photo Gallery

During his time as an athlete at Oklahoma, Dvoracek has made strides as a football player, and has had a lasting impact on his team.

As Coach Jackie Shipp explained, "He has made a great impact on the field with the plays that he has made, and he has made a great impact as a leader in helping young guys and being what you want in a football player. He has one of the biggest hearts on this team."

Dvoracek has excelled on the football field, but he is an outstanding student as well. "Academics has always been very important to him. He has always known that he wanted to fulfill his athletic career, but he knew that those careers don't last forever and he needed something to fall back on," his mother, Sandra Dvoracek, shared.

His long list of academic awards began his freshmen year when he won the University College PACE award, given to top one percent of freshmen on campus. The same year he was also on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

"My parents were always pushing me to have good grades. I take pride in that as well. It is always something that has been very important to me" Dvoracek commented.

"Dusty tries to be a perfectionist. He wants to do everything the best that he can and he wants to be successful at everything that he does. I can see why he does very well in school. Things that are important to him he really works at," added Coach Shipp.

With such an outstanding rsum to fall back on, Dvoracek has prepared for a successful career in the business world as well.

As a Sooner, Dvoracek has found strength as an athlete, excellence as a student, and a lifelong friend in Coach Shipp. "It's funny because when he came to Oklahoma, he didn't think that Coach Shipp liked him," Mrs. Dvoracek remarked. "Dusty thought that he was pushing him too hard and expected too much out of him."

While working with the defensive line, Coach Shipp has trained Dvoracek since 2001. "I treat all of my players like they are one of my own. They are just like the little brothers I never had," Coach Shipp added.

Dvoracek said that Coach Shipp has made the biggest impact on his college career. "Even though it's been up and down, he's a great coach. He has taught me a lot and turned me into a really good player."

Dvoracek has found great success in football and academics during his time as an Oklahoma Sooner. He has fine tuned his athletic skills, mastered his grades, and found a friend to guide him through it all.

After his graduation in December, this athlete has a full and bright future ahead of him, thanks to his experiences at the University of Oklahoma.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sooner Feature by Kameryn Stanhouse
Read more features on your favorite Sooners

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors