After graduation, Casey Christopher is headed for a PhD program in chemistry. He hasn't made a final decision, but he's already been offered admission to several prestigious programs. But if you're picturing a guy who's pale from all the hours in the lab and the library, forget it. He's also a four-year starting offensive lineman on the Scots football team.

“There are certainly a lot of differences between chemistry and football,” says Christopher, “but mentally they are very similar. On the offensive line, you need to know the snap count, your assignment, and what the defense is playing before you can execute. Working a problem in chemistry involves drawing on different models or areas of chemistry all at once to get the right perspective on the problem. Both are always very challenging, and success feels that much better because of it.”

The rest of the starting offensive linemen understand the connection because several of them—Joey Shearer, Collin Murphy and Pete Goldberg—are also chemistry majors, and first-year student and OL Jeff Theismann, is leaning that direction. So what's with the dual affinity for chemistry and the offensive line?

“I don't really have an answer as to why the current OL are attracted to chemistry,” says chemistry professor Tom Varberg, “though I would say that being an offensive lineman or being a chemistry major are both tough jobs. They both require great commitment and persistence. I don't think you sign up for them lightly, as in ... 'Not sure what I'll major in ... maybe I'll pick chemistry' or 'I'm thinking about trying out for a sport at Mac ... maybe I'll be an offensive lineman.' I don't think it happens that way!”

So why commit to two such demanding challenges? “Coach Jennison is very committed to the team that he coaches,” says Goldberg. “He cares about each one of us on the field and off, and he does his best to see that we are successful players and people. I'm very glad to be playing for him.”

“Our offensive line is a tight-knit group of young men who take a lot of pride in their work ethic and in being both mentally and physically strong,” says Coach Jennison. “I think those traits carry over to the classroom where they all are very strong students and I am confident those traits will serve them well after they leave Macalester.”