Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Football Q&A: Alex Pechin
9/4/2018 11:08:00 AM | Football
Alex Pechin is arguably the finest punter the Bucknell football team has ever produced. As a freshman, he burst onto the scene, capturing All-Patriot League First Team accolades after breaking the Bison single-season record with a 42.1 punting average. After losing his sophomore campaign to injury, he came back better than ever as a junior; he ultimately shattered his own school record with a punting average of 45.1, a mark also good for third in the NCAA FCS ranks. Pechin, Bucknell's lone returning All-American and eighth ever Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year, sat down to discuss his favorite class project, how he got his start in punting and much more.
Q: Last season, STATS named you a Third Team All-American. This year, you've been named to four Preseason All-America First Teams. What do these honors mean to you?
A: These honors mean a lot to me. They show that I can still improve each year, which is my ultimate goal. They also give me an incentive to strive to be the best I can be for my team and those around me.
Q: You've also had tremendous success academically, holding down a 3.93 GPA and being named the 2017 Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year. How have you been able to manage your time to be so successful on the field and in the classroom?
A: One of the things that has been extremely helpful for me is trying to never miss a class or homework assignment. It's very easy to miss either one, but I know that both will force me to learn the material and give me time to study what I don't understand before exams. Also, trying to use time wisely has been important to my success because it keeps me on task and allows me to sleep.
Q: As a Biomedical Engineering major, you must have been involved in some interesting class projects. Share one of your favorites.
A: Last year in Fluid Mechanics, I used COMSOL, a computer program, to model air and mucus flow in the branches of the lungs of patients who have conditions that make their bodies produce excess mucus.
Q: When you were making your college decision, what drew you to Bucknell?
A: I was excited about the opportunity to play football at a Division I school while still getting an incredible education in the field that I was interested in. Being somewhat close to home was also a big factor. I was also familiar with the campus and athletic department because I had attended Bison football and baseball camps.
Q: How did you get your start in punting?
A: I started punting during my first year of football when I was a kid. My dad helped me learn the basics, and he has helped me tremendously throughout the process of growing into a college punter.    Â
Q: If you weren't a football player, what sport would you play?
A: At the collegiate level, either basketball or baseball. Professionally, I would definitely play golf.
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
A: One thing I like to do before games is to get on the field early and run around and play catch. It helps me warm up and gets my mind clear for the game.
Q: What's on your pre-game playlist?
A: In the locker room, my playlist is mostly rap music. On the bus to away games, I like to listen to soothing music like "Spirit in the Sky" and other older songs to calm my nerves.
Q: If you went on America's Got Talent, what would your talent be?
A: I don't think it's very worthy of America's Got Talent, but I can do some wacky stomach tricks that are fun for people who haven't seen them.
Q: What three people, living or deceased, would you invite to dinner?
A: Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla and my brother. Brad would enjoy the conversations as much, if not more, than I would.
This Q&A originally ran in the program for Bucknell's game against William & Mary on Sept. 1, 2018.
