Sept. 14, 2006
An excerpt from a question and answer segment with UCF senior Cedric Gagne-Marcoux is featured on the UCF Athletics website. The Q&A was featured in this week's Rimington Report - a weekly coorespondance from the The Sports Group in Dallas.
The Sports Group is the organization that promotes the Rimington Award given annually to college football's best center. Gagne-Marcoux is one of 40 centers on the watch list and has started 35 straight games for the Golden Knights. The Sherbrooke, Quebeck, Canada native is also on the Lombardi Award watch list, an award given annually to college football's lineman of the year.
Cedric Gagne Marcoux
* Senior, 6'2", 292 lbs
* Graduated Spring 2006
* B.S., Marketing
* Currently enrolled as MBA student at UCF
Q&A with UCF Center Cedric Gagne-Marcoux administered by TSG's Seth Gonzalez
TSG: As you know, you've been nominated for this year's Rimington Trophy. Talk about what that means to you and how you found out about your nomination.
CGM: Our SID told me. I was pretty surprised. But in all honesty, its something I want to keep my mind off of. I want to focus on the team. I've always been a very team-oriented player. But having said that, this truly is a great honor.
TSG: You're also on the watch list for the Lombardi Award. Do you feel this kind of recognition is a long time in coming?
CGM: It is. It's a nice reward for all the hard work you put into. To get to a point where the long hours are finally paying off is nice. I just worked out right and had a little discipline.
TSG: What sport would you play, if not football?
CGM: Hockey. I grew up in Canada and I was a big Montreal Canadiens fan.
TSG: Last season featured a remarkable turnaround for your squad. You posted an 8-5 overall record, while 7-1 in Conference USA and you went to the Hawaii Bowl. All this after an 0-11 season in 2004. Aside from the record, what has been the biggest difference coach (George) O'Leary has made with this squad?
CGM: I think he's helped us mature as players. He's helped us think beyond the game. Great players understand what's going on. We're also a very disciplined team. We're different in the way we act on away trips, in practices, and in class. We're taking those things more seriously. I mean, it's pretty straightforward. I think our work ethic has been the biggest difference.
TSG: Your hometown is listed as Sherbrooke, Quebec. How did you end up in Florida?
CGM: (Former Quarterbacks coach) Jamie Barresi knew someone in Canada who had seen me play. The guy sent tapes of me to UCF. I got a call 2 days later.
TSG: How hard was it to adjust to a new environment when you first moved down there?
CGM: Weather-wise it was kinda hard. I'm used to everything we get in Quebec, like snow. When I got down to UCF, there were palm trees all over the place. Another thing that was pretty hard was the language. I had to learn English pretty quickly, since I grew up with French. I had a tutor for every class and her name was Olivia. I'd go home and wouldn't understand something and she'd be the first person I'd call. I would not be here without her.
TSG: American or Canadian football?
CGM: I prefer American, but I love the game so much I'll play anywhere. I like the grass fields in some of the stadiums here.