Although ME senior Jacob Huber comes from Spring Grove, a Chicago suburb, and Henry Engel, sophomore in ME, hails from rural Lena, they both have the drive to excel in mechanical engineering while thriving as Division I student athletes.

“I’ve wanted to go into mechanical engineering since I was fairly young and it was great to have an in-state school that was ranked so highly in that department,” Engel said. MechSE stood out because of its reputation for innovation and hands-on learning.

Being a student athlete is not for those who like things easy. ​​To balance school and sports, the students must make the often-difficult choice to prioritize school and athletics over other commitments. “I have to sacrifice a bit of my social life to excel in class,” Huber said. He also takes a lighter courseload during football season.

Engel's coursework has exposed him to real-world projects and ideas that have been both challenging and rewarding, especially the design sequence courses (ME 170, ME 270). These experiences have allowed him to apply his classroom knowledge to solve practical problems.

Engel described himself as organized and he “breaks down school and sports into day-by-day schedules to the point where responsibilities feel like second nature.” On a typical day, Huber wakes up before sunrise and attends morning practice, followed by classes, homework and evening practice. This leaves little time to relax or participate in other extracurricular activities, but with dedication and a strong work ethic, he makes it work.

The team’s support is imperative for Engel and Huber to succeed in their engineering careers; their coaches understand the demands of an engineering degree from Illinois and are flexible when it comes to scheduling conflicts. The students are encouraged to prioritize their academics and are provided resources such as study space and tutors to help them stay on track.

Football and engineering share a lot in common, from teaching discipline and teamwork to the importance of patience and hard work.

Engel explained how both school and football showed him that results don’t come right away. Instead, success comes from consistent effort, whether in practice or on assignments. He added that football taught him how to work well on a team, which has been a huge help when tackling group projects in school.

“Hard work always pays off,” Huber said. “The more time you put into something, the more you get out of it, which applies to every part of life.”

Huber’s advice to future MechSE athletes relies on discipline. “Manage your time well and don’t hesitate to ask for help,” he suggested. “Build a strong support system of teammates, classmates, and mentors. It’s going to be tough, but the skills you gain from balancing sports and school will help in all parts of life.”

Engel added, “It will be hard, with late nights studying or finishing assignments, but in the end, it’s worth it.”