Each week during the college football season we will feature a player who is an officer for an Uplifting Athletes Chapter for our Beyond the Trophy series.
Name: Alex Palczewski
College: University of Illinois
Height, weight, class, position: 6-6, 310 pounds, senior, offensive line
High School: Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois
About Alex: The versatile and athletic Illini right tackle also participated in wrestling, water polo and track and field during his high school career. Alex started as a true freshman and has registered 36 starts up front in three seasons at guard and right tackle. He was a third-team All Big Ten selection following the 2019 season, played in the first bowl game of his career and is on the 2020 Outland Trophy watch list. After participating in several Lift For Life events as part of the Illinois Chapter, Alex volunteered to step into a leadership position for his senior year and attended the 2020 Uplifting Athletes Leadership Development Conference.
What is your most memorable experience as a college football player?
PALCZEWSKI: The last second field goal to beat No. 6 Wisconsin at home last year.
What drove you to get involved with Uplifting Athletes?
PALCZEWSKI: I wanted to remember that there is more to life than football and I wanted to do something to help others.
What have you learned from your experience with Uplifting Athletes?
PALCZEWSKI: It is important to be more than a football player and that I can use my platform to help raise awareness for the Rare Disease Community.
What advice would you share with someone in high school looking to play college football?
PALCZEWSKI: I would say make sure you go where you are wanted. If a school is not paying much attention to you, then don’t go there.
Who is your favorite NFL player and why?
PALCZEWSKI: Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan. Simply put, he’s a badass.
If you could have lunch with any one person (dead or alive), who would you choose and why?
PALCZEWSKI: The actor Dolph Lundgren. To me he’s just all around awesome and I’m a big fan.
ALEX ON THE HOT SEAT
What is your perfect pizza?
PALCZEWSKI: Sausage and pepperoni
All time favorite movie?
PALCZEWSKI: Rocky IV
What is your go-to fast food restaurant?
PALCZEWSKI: Chipotle
Favorite sports team (any sport)?
PALCZEWSKI: Chicago Bears
What is the most used app on your phone?
PALCZEWSKI: Tik Tok
