Indiana University Athletics
Student Spotlight: Rashard Fant
10/10/2016 9:33:00 AM | Football, General, Student-Athlete Services
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Rashard Fant topped the Big Ten conference in pass breakups during his sophomore campaign as his 22 deflections were good for second nationally. He recorded 52 tackles, 48 solo stops, which ranked second on the team last season. Fant owns two career interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He earned the defensive player of the week once a season ago, but his on-field achievements pale in comparison to what he has accomplished off the field.
Fant has one post-football career aspiration: to help people in any way possible.
As a Hoosier HEROES peer mentor, Fant has begun the process of helping. The peer mentor program was designed to help incoming freshmen athletes become more acquainted with the University and its surroundings. All freshmen are paired with an upperclassman. As a young man hailing from Atlanta, Fant utilized the HEROES program, and now as a junior it is his chance to give back.
"This program is a great way to help change somebody's life," Fant said. "That is really my life goal, to positively affect as many lives as possibly. I feel like this program is a great way to get started."
In three short years on campus Fant has already obtained his management degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. In fact, he told his parents before he enrolled at Indiana University that he would graduate in three years. His intentions are to begin graduate level courses soon. Ideally, he would become a college professor following his football career.
Fant was one of the three Hoosier Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) representatives for the conference. The committee is compiled of athletes from various sports and each school within the Big Ten. The members become the voice of the athletes as a whole. One of the goals that group had was to institute a 'mandatory day off' policy. He, and his team, were instrumental in achieving this goal.
"We were able to go to Chicago and sit down with representatives from the Big Ten to talk about the issues we face as student-athletes," said Fant. "It was a great experience because our voice was heard."
Men of Valor Excelling (MOVE) is a group of young men, led by Fant, Dameon Willis Jr. and Donovan Hale, that talk about issues that surround us. MOVE allows for a safe-haven to talk about racial topics, financial literacy and various events and issues that have taken place throughout the country.
"We talk about how we can promote change, starting with our campus," said Fant. "It is great to get together and talk about this stuff because, like I said, I want to change people's lives. These are real-world issues that we are trying work through."
As a self-diagnosed quiet leader, Fant has used these experiences to become a stronger leader on the field. Cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby stated earlier this season that Fant has really grown as the undisputed leader of the defensive backfield. Fant, and the rest of the Hoosier defense, have answered that call and have been highly successful early in the season.
"If I can find a way to have an impact, to touch people's lives, I am going to do it," said Fant. "That is my passion."
Fant has one post-football career aspiration: to help people in any way possible.
As a Hoosier HEROES peer mentor, Fant has begun the process of helping. The peer mentor program was designed to help incoming freshmen athletes become more acquainted with the University and its surroundings. All freshmen are paired with an upperclassman. As a young man hailing from Atlanta, Fant utilized the HEROES program, and now as a junior it is his chance to give back.
"This program is a great way to help change somebody's life," Fant said. "That is really my life goal, to positively affect as many lives as possibly. I feel like this program is a great way to get started."
In three short years on campus Fant has already obtained his management degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. In fact, he told his parents before he enrolled at Indiana University that he would graduate in three years. His intentions are to begin graduate level courses soon. Ideally, he would become a college professor following his football career.
Fant was one of the three Hoosier Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) representatives for the conference. The committee is compiled of athletes from various sports and each school within the Big Ten. The members become the voice of the athletes as a whole. One of the goals that group had was to institute a 'mandatory day off' policy. He, and his team, were instrumental in achieving this goal.
"We were able to go to Chicago and sit down with representatives from the Big Ten to talk about the issues we face as student-athletes," said Fant. "It was a great experience because our voice was heard."
Men of Valor Excelling (MOVE) is a group of young men, led by Fant, Dameon Willis Jr. and Donovan Hale, that talk about issues that surround us. MOVE allows for a safe-haven to talk about racial topics, financial literacy and various events and issues that have taken place throughout the country.
"We talk about how we can promote change, starting with our campus," said Fant. "It is great to get together and talk about this stuff because, like I said, I want to change people's lives. These are real-world issues that we are trying work through."
As a self-diagnosed quiet leader, Fant has used these experiences to become a stronger leader on the field. Cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby stated earlier this season that Fant has really grown as the undisputed leader of the defensive backfield. Fant, and the rest of the Hoosier defense, have answered that call and have been highly successful early in the season.
"If I can find a way to have an impact, to touch people's lives, I am going to do it," said Fant. "That is my passion."
Players Mentioned
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