At San Jose State University football home games the last four years, defensive tackle Pablo Garcia had one of the most loyal fan clubs waiting for him along Stadium Way between the Simpkins Stadium Center and the Koret Athletic Training Center. The Garcia family was right there when Pablo participated in the University's 2012 Commencement signifying one of the biggest events in his life.

            "I'm the first one in my immediate family in terms of my parents, brothers and sisters (to earn a college degree). I'm setting a good example for my brother and sister to keep on going, get their education and further themselves," says the 22-year old native of Mountain View.

            Pablo played in 40 games and started 19 times for the Spartans. As a sophomore, he shared the team lead with 4.0 quarterback sacks.

            "Getting to places like Alabama, Wisconsin and Nebraska. Those are memories I'll never forget. Whenever I watch college football, I always think of those memories," says the three-time Western Athletic Conference (WAC) All-Academic team honoree. "And being in games like last year's game against Hawaii, those are unforgettable experiences."

            The kinesiology major also was very active in San Jose State's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) serving as a vice-president and one of two Spartan student-athletes on the WAC's SAAC.

            Garcia wants to continue playing football as long as possible and then look at going after a master's degree.

            "I'm planning for after, but I just want to give it a try. I don't want to regret it later in life that I didn't give it a try," says the lineman who had 9.5 career tackles for loss.            

            "Right now, I'm in my early 20's. Whether I stop playing football two, five or 10 years from now, I'm going to get a master's degree in sport management.

            "I got to accomplish a lot of things on the field and a lot of things off the field. It's also a new beginning. Now the real work begins. I get a chance to be successful in the real world."

             Once Pablo Garcia is successful in the real world, as he describes it, he'll be leading the way again for his family - in particular his younger brother and sister.

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