Senior Cole De Magistris has made it to become a semi-finalist of the most prestigious and desirable academic award in college football, the William V. Campbell Award. De Magistris sits among good company with past winners including Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow. The Campbell trophy recognizes individuals in the country as the best through academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. 

“Cole is one of the best captains to go through Bates in the last decade. He’s one of my best friends and he has been a steady anchor to our team,” said Archie Green ’24

Describing himself as a vocal leader who leads by example, De Magistris emphasized, “I ensure that any expectations I have for my teammates are standards I can uphold myself. From my experience as a captain in Rec/Pop Warner football and in high school, I’ve honed skills that contribute to the leader I am today. Becoming the Captain of the Bobcats was a goal of mine, and I thoroughly enjoy leading this team.”

Currently in his fourth year on the Bates College football team and his second year as captain, De Magistris recently completed a summer internship with the Minnesota Vikings.

“As a football captain, it is your responsibility to lead and rally your teammates together. There are 90 men with 90 different personalities on our team. This can present all sorts of challenges. To overcome any potential obstacles you must remain positive, keep an open mind, and hold your teammates as well as yourself accountable. I have had to adapt my leadership style after breaking my leg a few weeks ago against Colby. Being sidelined, I now can work in a more one-on-one fashion with the younger guys to help coach and develop their skills and techniques.” 

De Magistris learned of his achievement from teammates before practice and shared the news with his family via FaceTime afterward.

“To become one of 12-14 finalists selected from a group of 201 highly qualified individuals across all football divisions would be a truly humbling and rewarding achievement. Based on numbers, the chances are slim. However, I’ll quote Han Solo and say, “Never tell me the odds” and instead remain optimistic and confident about my chances.”