Carlsbad teen combats stereotypes

By: NOELLE IBRAHIM - Staff Writer | Sunday, June 17, 2007 8:26 PM PDT ∞

CARLSBAD ---- Eighteen-year-old Spencer Hood says he wants to put the stereotype of the "dumb jock" to rest.

A starting linebacker for the Carlsbad High School varsity football team, Hood donned a gold honors cap and gown last week at graduation, distinguishing him from a sea of his purple-robed peers for his academic achievements.

"I always get labeled as the 'football player,' the 'dumb jock,' but that's not the case," he said last week. "It's a general misconception that athletes are not well-rounded, that they don't focus on academics. People are surprised when they see someone who can excel at both."

Recently named both scholar-athlete of the year and defensive football player of the year at Carlsbad High, Hood marches into Dartmouth College this fall with a 4.1 grade point average and 600 hours of community service under his belt.

"Here's a young man who can juggle classwork, activities and sports and still keep a great attitude about it," said Tony Sullivan, the school's assistant football coach who met Hood as a freshman and now considers him like a son. "When he goes after something, he gives 100 percent. I'm so proud of this man; proud of everything he's done."

Hood said he'll continue to balance football and academics while pursuing a degree in economics at Dartmouth, his grandfather's alma mater. His fraternal twin brother, Gordon, is also a scholar-athlete who graduated with honors. Gordon will attend Brown University in the fall, where he'll play water polo.

"I've always wanted to go to an Ivy League school," Hood said, adding that his parents always encouraged him and his brother to set their goals high. "I'm so excited. I really want to jump in already."

He said that he would not have gotten to where he is today without the mixture of sports, academics and extracurricular activities ---- all of which have shaped his character. He said that football, for example, has benefits beyond physical activity that cross over into the academic realm.

"I've learned discipline, focus, determination and the ability to work with others as one unit," said Hood, who participated in four-hour practices every day after school. "I like that it's a really physical sport and requires a lot of teamwork. It definitely allows you to relieve any stress from school and outside stuff."

Hood said he challenged himself off the field with 11 honors classes and two advanced placement classes, while putting in hundreds of hours of community service. As a way to get involved in his school, Hood applied as a junior to the Peer Advocate program, which required him to write an essay, participate in interviews and pledge to be alcohol and drug free.

One of 10 students selected out of 120 applicants for the program, Hood was trained to counsel his peers during confidential sessions where they could talk about their troubles, ranging from problems with significant others to eating disorders.

The program has been a rewarding experience, he said, because he felt like he was making a positive impact on people's lives. Hood recalled listening to a teen who was contemplating suicide.

"She needed someone to talk to and no one had reached out to her ... She needed someone to say, 'I'm there,' " he said. "It gave me a new appreciation for life ---- I can't complain about anything I have going on."

In addition to befriending peers, Hood has collected toys for North County Health Services, promoted wise choices as a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, and heard the cases of first-time teenage offenders as part of the Carlsbad Police Department's juvenile justice program.

"Every time I turn around, he's lending a helping hand," said Sullivan. "He's a great football player, but he's also a great person."

Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 761-4404 or nibrahim@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

Know a Good Kid?

If you know a young person in your community who deserves applause, e-mail your "Good Kid" suggestion to nibrahim@nctimes.com or call (760) 761-4404.