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: Isaac Vance
College: Kent State
Height, weight, class, position: 5-9, 169-pound, redshirt junior, slot receiver
High School: Mayfield High School in Las Cruces, New Mexico
About Isaac: Inspired by former Golden Flashes teammate Antwan Dixon and his comeback from battling a rare blood disorder, Isaac chose to take on a leadership role after participating in the inaugural Kent State Chapter Lift For Life in 2019. He attended the Leadership Development Conference in 2020 and plays a key role for the Kent State Chapter and its support of the Rare Disease Community. The native of Las Cruces, New Mexico had played in 24 games over in 2018 and 2019 primarily on special teams before earning a starting spot in 2020. Isaac is a two-time member of the Academic All-Mac Team and was honored as the 2019-2020 recipient of the Lou Holtz Scholarship Endowment.
What is your most memorable experience as a college football player?
VANCE: Winning the 2019 Frisco Bowl game against Utah State.
What drove you to get involved with Uplifting Athletes?
VANCE: Being teammates with a former rare disease patient and seeing his work ethic and drive during his comeback inspired me.
What have you learned from your experience with Uplifting Athletes?
VANCE: Our voice as college athletes is strong, and we can use our platform for positivity.
What advice would you share with someone in high school looking to play college football?
VANCE: I would tell them to ‘work, work.’ Put in the hours when people aren’t watching.
Who is your favorite NFL player and why?
VANCE: Quarterback Cam Newton. Always smiling and he dresses top notch.
If you could have lunch with any one person (dead or alive), who would you choose and why?
VANCE: Major League Baseball star Miguel Tejada because I grew up idolizing him and his game.
ISAAC ON THE HOT SEAT
What is your perfect pizza?
VANCE: Garlic crusted pepperoni and cheese
All time favorite movie?
VANCE: Bad Boys II
What is your go-to fast food restaurant?
VANCE: Whataburger
Favorite sports team (any sport)?
VANCE: Atlanta Braves
What is the most used app on your phone?
VANCE: Twitter
