Azeez Al-Shaair Receives 2017-18 N4A Wilma Rudolph Award

    Azeez Al-Shaair, a Florida Atlantic University senior football player, was one of five student-athletes nationally to receive the Wilma Rudolph award. Al-Shaair received the honor on Tuesday as part of the N4A Convention Awards at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
    The N4A Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award honors student-athletes who have overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics. These young men and women may not be the star athletes or best students, and therefore may not have been recognized by other organizations or awards. Nonetheless, they have persevered and made significant personal strides toward success.
    The 2018 Wilma Rudolph honorees are Azeez Al-Shaair, Florida Atlantic University; Meredith Bissette, University of South Florida; Austin Hatch, University of Michigan; Guy Iradukunda, Florida State University; and Crystal Lee, Georgia State University.

Azeez Al-Shaair, Florida Atlantic University
    At four years old Azeez Al-Shaair's father moved their family to Saudi Arabia to take a job as an English instructor. While in Saudi Arabia, the family encountered difficulties as foreigners in a foreign country and after two years, they moved back to the states, only to be in a new environment again with language barriers and more learning difficulties. In the second grade, Al-Shaair's parents divorced and up until his freshman year of high school, he continued to encounter multiple barriers and turmoil in his daily life. He moved multiple times, his dad moved back to Saudi Arabia, he lived in Section 8 housing with his mom, and was in an altercation that forever changed the way his spoke (tone and frequency) due to an esophageal injury. The summer prior to his 10th grade year, Al-Shaair's family encountered yet another obstacle. In the whirlwind of rushing off to work, Al-Shaair's older sister accidently left the stove on. As a result, Al-Shaair woke up to the smoke alarm and a fire that was out of control. He woke his siblings and niece and got everyone out of the smoldering house. By the time the fire department arrived the only thing remaining was the foundation, leaving them homeless. Thankfully, the family had insurance so they could move into a motel. Unfortunately, the motel was two hours from his school, meaning Al-Shaair had a long commute on public transportation each morning. His brother's football coach, James McQuay, learned of their family's situation and was gracious enough to provide clothes, money for food, bus fare, and a place to stay. During this tumultuous time, football became a positive outlet for his anger and a way for Al-Shaair to build the future he wanted. After long hours of training and numerous setbacks, he was offered a scholarship to play at Florida Atlantic University. Because of past experiences, Al-Shaair made the decision to major in public safety administration, aspiring to become a fire fighter, and made it a goal to repay James McQuay for what he had given his family in their time of dire need. During his junior year, after using his financial aid to buy clothes and food for his brothers and mother, he decided to have his brothers move in with him and become their legal guardian. Al-Shaair will continue the final season of his collegiate football career with the Owls this fall and is set to graduate in Spring 2019.
    Al-Shaair was named a team captain his sophomore season and served in a similar role in 2017, a year that the Owls shocked the nation with an 11-3 record, a perfect 8-0 Conference USA mark and a C-USA Title as well as a Boca Bowl Championship. The linebacker has led the team in tackles since 2016 and was No. 5 nationally in total tackles.
     Al-Shaair and the Owls will take on Oklahoma, Saturday, Sept. 1 in Norman, Oklahoma at noon on Fox. The Owls will open their home season Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. versus Air Force. For tickets call 1-866-FAU-Owls. Fans can follow all game, both home and away on ESPN West Palm 106.3 or via the ESPN App.

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