Indiana University Athletics
McFarland Earns Induction into Phi Beta Kappa
5/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 2, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Fifth-year senior quarterback Graeme McFarland recently earned induction into the national honor society, Phi Beta Kappa. The Birmingham, Ala., product sat down with IUHOOSIERS.com to talk about his accomplishment.
Quarterback Graeme McFarland played in seven games in 2005. He finished the season by completing 10-of-25 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns. McFarland was 5-of-8 for 34 yards and a touchdown at Michigan State, and he also threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Walker-Roby at Michigan. McFarland served as the second-string quarterback during his redshirt freshman in 2003, making a start at Minnesota after Matt LoVecchio sustained a head injury versus Ohio State the week prior. McFarland completed 12-of-30 pass attempts for 152 yards against the Gophers. After LoVecchio's injury against the Buckeyes, McFarland led the Hoosiers downfield by completing 6-of-6 passes for 54 yards, capped by a touchdown pass.
McFarland is the first Indiana football player to garner induction since center Kevin Speer in 1981.
Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and largest academic honor society, came into being on Dec. 5, 1776 at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
How did your selection into Phi Beta Kappa occur?
GM: Phi Beta Kappa contacted me. I have been focusing so hard on school, that my grades must have been good enough for them to invite me to be in the society.
How were you inducted into Phi Beta Kappa?
GM: They held a banquet and dinner for us with the Dean of Arts and Sciences (Dr. Kumble R. Subbaswamy) giving a speech. After that, we each had our name called and then signed our names into the member's roll.
Has access to athletic academic services helped you in your academic pursuits?
GM: Definitely. They are always here for us. They really work to help us get into the proper classes. Also, the facility has a lot of computers and printers available for us to use. They also help advise you along the way, especially early on in your academic career. I knew I wanted to get into biology, but they helped me get on the right track.
How important is a focus on academics for each student-athlete?
GM: It is really important. While most student-athletes here would like to pursue athletics at a pro level, only a select few get to do that. It is important to focus on the academic side. Getting an education at Indiana University is a big deal. It is important to take advantage of that so you can be on the right track when you graduate.
