One fifth of a second. That is how long it took senior Alex Ludowig to sign the commitment papers that secured his spot in the United States Air Force Academy.
Ludowig started playing football as a second grader. Since his whole family has played the sport, Ludowig decided to pursue a future in football. He worked hard, eventually earning a starting spot on the varsity team in his sophomore year.
Now as a graduating senior, the wide receiver has been committed to the Air Force to play football.
“I never really thought about the military schools until my dad and I were talking about it one day,” Ludowig said. “I wanted to serve my country, that’s the first reason I chose Air Force. Navy was looking at me, but they didn’t really come through, and Air Force was the first to come through with an offer. I thought that meant they wanted me the most, and their coaches are awesome so that was another factor.”
As a mentor, wide receiver coach Jon Edwards was excited to see Alex move on to college football.
“I could not be more proud and happy for Alex. He deserves any accolades that comes his way as far as football goes Air Force is lucky to have Alex.” Edwards said.
Throughout his high school career, Ludowig has always stood alongside his good friends, many of who he played with since his childhood days. Ludowig’s best friend and teammate senior Kevin Yates is also anxious for his friend, but has no doubts that he will succeed.
“I am very proud, [which is] pretty generic and cliché, but true,” Yates said. “I think it will be that when we come back years down the road that I will be saluting him. I think that Air Force will be getting a great kid and that it just really shows how much Alex has really grown and matured through the years.”
Starting in 37 games over three seasons, Ludowig’s varsity experience will be missed by his coaches and younger teammates, but they offer him their full support.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to coach Alex, I have never been around a harder working young man,” Edwards said. “It is going to be strange to not see #22 on the field next season”
Ludowig is recognized for his commendable character by his peers, which helped him earn captaincy on the team, as well as his admission to the Academy.
“People would always like him right from the beginning, he just had a certain air to him, but now he is learning to handle that kind of admiration and really has made immense strides just in the past few years of becoming an incredible friend.” Yates said.
As Ludowig prepares for college, he is thankful to his family, coaches, fans and his team for his great success.
“I am going to miss all the people in Katy, and all the fans, and I have had the best coaches to push me to become the man I am today,” Ludowig said. “I only get to visit about 5 weeks out of the year, which will be hard on my parents but, I have got to grow up sometime and why not now since I am going off to college. I have enjoyed my four years here…it has been a great ride.”
