Hawkins Writing History
“What I love is being a part of the brotherhood that is Central College football. I’m lucky to be part of that group.”
– Blaine Hawkins ’21
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
Majors: Economics and Business Management
Scholarships: Presidential, Trustee, Journey, Creative Writing Award
Campus Activities: Football, Student Senate
Career Goal: Owning and/or starting a small business
Blaine Hawkins ’21 knows the history of Central College football. He knows about the 31 conference championships, the myriad of playoff appearances and, of course, the 1974 NCAA Division III national title.
“Central has a special football legacy,” he says. “You always see guys who used to play … coming back for games. It’s special to talk to them, to connect with them and to know we share a special bond.”
Hawkins already has written his own chapter into Central’s football legacy. He’s the most prolific passer in school history and his name sits atop the list of nearly every single-season and career passing record.
After leading the Dutch to two wins in two tries during the COVID-19 shortened Spring 2021 season, Hawkins will return for a fifth season with the Dutch.
“What I love is being a part of the brotherhood that is Central College football,” he says. “Spending time in the dorm rooms, on the practice field, in the weight room has really helped me get to know a lot of the guys really well. I’m lucky to be part of that group.”
On the field, Hawkins had a record-breaking 2019 season. He threw for a school-record 3,302 yards and 44 touchdowns and rushed for 522 yards and another nine touchdowns. He was a first-team all-American Rivers Conference selection for the second year in a row and was named the conference’s offensive player of the year.
With it, the Dutch had a season to remember. They finished 10-2 in 2019, won a share of their first conference title since 2009 and advanced to the Division III playoffs, winning a postseason game for the first time since 2007.
Central did so in dramatic fashion, too, overcoming a 31-7 halftime deficit to defeat Wisconsin-Oshkosh 38-37 in overtime. The Dutch stopped a two-point conversion attempt to secure the win.
“I can’t get tired of talking about that,” Hawkins said. “The feeling afterward was surreal. The whole crowd was rushing on to the field. That was something I had never seen before. You don’t have too many field stormings at the Division III level. Seeing everyone so happy was something I’ll never forget.”
While football and athletics certainly was a big reason Hawkins chose Central, he found so much more once he got on campus.
Once undecided on a major, he landed on economics and business management with an emphasis in finance. He credits the liberal arts education with helping him find his passion academically. In 2021, Hawkins was named to the Academic All-District as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. To be eligible for selection, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve and carry a 3.30 or better cumulative grade point average.
He also has been part of Student Senate, spent part of a semester studying abroad in London (it was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic) and done internships both in London and with Casey’s in his hometown of Ankeny.
Central has afforded him those opportunities while still allowing him to shine on the football field.
“As a student, your time at Central is up to you what you want to do,” he says. “It’s what you make it. Instead of missing out, I feel like I’ve gained experience with stuff that will benefit me going forward.”