Finance and football fuel grad’s 4.0 GPA

Marshall Wadleigh’s story of accomplishment is a testament that hard work breeds success. The Tulane University senior from Pearl River, Louisiana, maintained a 4.0 grade point average as a walk-on member of the Tulane football program, and was awarded a scholarship by head coach Willie Fritz ahead of his senior year.

“I learned to commit myself and keep disciplined in maintaining a schedule as a student-athlete,” Wadleigh said. “I think Tulane, especially the football program, did a great job of giving me the tools and resources I needed to stay on task and establish good habits.”

On the field, Wadleigh played in 49 career games across four seasons, mostly on special teams, where he returned three kickoffs for 21 yards and recorded 16 tackles (15 solo and one assisted).

In the classroom, as a finance major in the A. B. Freeman School of Business, he was recognized as a member of the Dean’s List and the Tulane Athletics 3.0 Club. He also served as the football representative on the Green Wave’s student-athlete advisory committee and engaged in community service projects around New Orleans.

“My academic and athletic career at Tulane went hand-in-hand. I became a better student of the game of football,” Wadleigh said. “I had to study and I had to prepare, so my school habits were applicable to that. I think the habits from my experience as a student-athlete will stay with me long after I graduate and enter the workforce.”

Wadleigh said that finding time to balance his commitments as a football player and finance major ultimately proved rewarding.

“The discipline and consistency that I gained from my academic and athletic background at Tulane are two characteristics that will enhance my career, regardless of what I choose to pursue,” said Wadleigh.

While Wadleigh’s post-graduation plans are a work in progress, he hopes to remain in New Orleans for a few more years.

Oliver Grigg, a senior studying marketing, management and Spanish at Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, works in the Strategic Communications office for Tulane Athletics.