UF Graduate Student Excels On and Off the Field

UF Graduate Student, Chris Reaper

Christopher Reaper is a part of the University of Findlay’s Master of Business Administration Program. When he’s not working on his online classwork you can catch him on the football field as the senior left tackle.
Originally from Toledo, Reaper chose to attend The University of Findlay because he was recruited for the football team.
“I chose to come to Findlay because when I was getting recruited for football. I wanted small class sizes and a more personal environment. I fell in love with the campus when I arrived here and I really enjoyed meeting the athletic and computer science faculty,” Reaper states. He graduated in May with his Bachelor of Science in computer science with an emphasis in computer systems and business.
Reaper has been a member of the UF football team for the past five years and has started 41 games consecutively. He has played football since he was in the fifth grade and had also played basketball and baseball before coming to Findlay. Reaper continues to play because it is a passion of his.
“I like the camaraderie of the players. I have grown with most of these people for two or more years and have really gotten close with many of them. I continue to play because it is a passion of mine. I have met some of the best friends that I will keep in contact with for a lifetime through football. I also really like the challenge because I am a very competitive person,” Reaper says.
Throughout his years as an Oiler, Reaper has held many leadership positions and earned numerous awards and recognition for both his studies and football. He has been the current president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee since fall 2014, and previously was an officer for three years. He was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society in the spring of 2015. Reaper has also been a part of the All Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Academic Excellence (GLIAC) team from 2012-2015, is a 2014-2015 Coca-Cola Scholar-Athlete Award Winner, a two-time preseason all-American and he has been an All-GLIAC for the football team twice.
Recently he received a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District 4 team after the College Sports Information Directors of America released their 2015 all-academic district squad. He will move to the national ballot which will determine who is named the Capital One Academic All-American.
When he’s not in football mode, Reaper is pursuing his MBA with an emphasis in organizational leadership. He chose to get a master’s degree in business because of his ultimate career goal of being a chief information officer. This position requires a vast knowledge of the information technology sector and also the business side of things.
Though sometimes it’s tough to balance school and football, Reaper says it’s much easier now that he is a graduate student. As an undergrad he had to attend traditional classes. Now all of his graduate courses are taken online, which allows him to work at his own pace. He can also spend time that he normally would in the classroom on his studies.
“It is very different going from computer science school to business. It is a different way of thinking, that’s for sure. I am doing it all alongside one of my best friends and we are tackling it together,” Reaper expresses.
Reaper has faced numerous challenges as an Oiler. He has broken not only his dominant hand but also his left elbow. Reaper has also suffered strained ligaments in his back but credits the training staff to always having him prepared for the next game.
Reaper has started 43 games in his football career at UF. He has learned to face a lot of time management problems because football takes up an extra 20-25 hours of his week. He also works 10-15 hours and has held 15 or more credit hours every semester he has been here.
After the football season is over, Reaper will begin working at Marathon Petroleum Corporation as a developer/business analyst intern in Findlay. He hopes to attain a full-time job once he graduates in the spring. Reaper will soon be moving to Perrysburg to be closer to family and friends.