Nov. 19, 2002
By Megan O'Leary, Villanova Media Relations
The Villanova University football team has a storied history full of not only talented athletes, but also of well-rounded, dedicated individuals. These are men who look to better themselves both on and off the field, as well as take pride in participating in the rich tradition of Villanova football. One of these members is 5th year senior running back, Cameron Cross.
Cross came to the Main Line from Oceanside, California where he grew up idolizing running backs such as Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Marshall Faulk. The Carlsbad High School product amassed a long line of athletic and academic distinctions including first team All-CIF San Diego County, Avocado League Player of the Year and a nomination for the National Football Foundation Student-Athlete of the Year
Despite his accomplishments , Cameron Cross didn't get attention from many of the southern California college football powerhouses.
"I wondered why schools like San Diego State weren't knocking on my door. My choices were Villanova, Navy, and Boise State. I narrowed it down between Navy and Villanova, and I decided on Villanova because I wanted to go somewhere where I felt comfortable."
"Freshman year was tough, like it usually is", explained Cross, "I'd never been away from home, my family, friends, my brother before. But, after a while, I got used to things and it seemed like there wasn't much of a difference between 3,000 miles away and 300 miles away, especially since I wasn't going to get many chances to go home."
Cross donned a redshirt his first year at Villanova, as he learned the offense and adapted to the collegiate level. The 1999 season brought a year of opportunity and promise to Cross, as he played in eleven games and scored three touchdowns. When asked about his biggest thrill so far in a Villanova uniform, he remembers back to the first time he stepped onto the field in the Villanova road whites.
"Stepping onto that field at Air Force, seeing all those people in the stands, that was something special. It was realizing that everything I'd been working so hard for was really happening to me. That was really something special."
Cross is an intense, hard-working, dedicated individual, but is as humble and soft-spoken as they come.
"I'm not a very vocal guy, so I try to lead by example," states Cross. "As a fifth year, my role is one of leadership, so I go out there and do whatever it takes to get the job done, and I think my teammates see that in me."
Cross is an extremely versatile player, either running the ball or catching a pass out of the backfield, but the part of his game in which he takes the most pride, occurs when he doesn't even have the ball in his hands. His love for blocking illustrates the consummate team player that Cameron Cross is and how he thrives in his unheralded role.
"Blocking. Definitely blocking. I love opening up a hole for the running back, or protecting my quarterback on a pass play."
One of those running backs that Cross opened up numerous holes for was Brian Westbrook, but he doesn't feel any added pressure by the departure of Westbrook.
"Brian Westbrook was such an incredible athlete, his loss is felt all throughout the team, not just in the backfield. Everyone has to pick it up a little. I don't put any added pressure myself because that defeats the purpose, I just go out there and do my best."
Despite the loss of Brian Westbrook, Cameron Cross believes this is a talented team that has the opportunity to go very far. Coming off decisive wins over Rutgers and Colgate, Cross likes the way the team looks, but knows that the younger players gaining experience is crucial to Villanova's success.
"We've got a lot of younger guys at key positions that don't have the experience with overtime games, or playoff games like the older guys do. But, they're talented and they've done a great job so far. I believe that if we continue to improve from week to week, we'll have a game after [last regular season opponent] Delaware."
Cross has enjoyed a successful career as an integral part of the Villanova offense, however, two things are still missing from his experience-a chance to play in the playoffs, and his college diploma.
"I would love the opportunity to play for a national title because we haven't made the playoffs since I've been here," said Cross. "I haven't thought about what I'd like to do after college, I'm just working towards my diploma and making good on a promise I made to my parents when I left. Villanova has been great to me, and some of the friendships I've formed will stay with me forever."
Cross has set some high expectations for himself this season.
"I want to score eight touchdowns and get 800 total yards, rushing and receiving. With [Brian] Westbrook gone, I'm going to get the ball a bit more and I want to make it count. We want to repeat as Atlantic 10 champions."
There's no question that Cameron Cross will continue to use his quiet leadership and dedication to help Villanova reach the NCAA playoffs for the first time in five years. If everyone stays healthy, the rookies adjust, and the team performs to its potential, Cross will have another accomplishment to add to his distinguished list.
