Former Center Grove football player Clay Hadley (71) started a school-record 49 consecutive games for the University of Indianapolis.
Submitted photo
Late this summer, Clay Hadley earns his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Indianapolis, capping a five-year run during which few stones were left unturned — academically, athletically and socially.
Hadley, a 2017 Center Grove graduate, continues to wring every drop possible from his college experience, one that has armed him with lifelong friends and numerous honors both as a student and five-year starter for the Greyhounds’ football team.
The 6-foot-1, 266-pound right tackle was recently named to the Division II Academic All-America team, chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Hadley, twice an Academic All-District selection, earned second-team notice.
“When I saw that, honestly, I was ecstatic,” said Hadley, 23, who carries a 3.68 grade-point average. “To be an Academic All-American, I think that’s a testament to all the work I’ve put in over the years.
“Ever since I was a kid, it’s been work times dedication equals success. I give a lot of credit to my parents (Rod and Amy), the Center Grove football and strength programs and the teachers there.”
Hadley completed his time on the gridiron as a three-time captain and four-time All-Great Lakes Valley Conference performer for UIndy football — the latter distinction one that only three other Greyhounds had previously earned.
The lineman completed his bachelor’s degree last spring, but with the Greyhounds playing an abbreviated three-game schedule in April due to COVID-19, Hadley felt a sense of unfinished business. Thus, he chose to utilize the extra year of athletic eligibility granted by the NCAA.
“Coach (Chris) Keevers called me to ask if I was going to come back for another year,” Hadley said. “I was getting my MBA, so it was kind of a win-win for me. It gave me another year with my buddies. I kind of soaked everything in this season, and didn’t take anything for granted.”
In November, UIndy applied the final touches to a 7-4 season; the Greyhounds were 40-9 in Hadley’s career, including 11 straight wins in 2017 before dropping a 27-24 decision to Harding in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
As a sophomore, Hadley took part in two postseason contests, a 38-27 victory over Fort Hays State and a 35-7 loss at Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. UIndy also qualified for the postseason in 2019, taking a 37-27 first-round loss at Central Missouri.
The senior’s reliability and leadership helped the Greyhounds rank seventh nationally in rushing offense and 11th in total offense this past season. Hadley stepped into the starting lineup on the offensive line as a freshman and never relinquished his spot.
Hadley’s 49 consecutive starts, including 10 at center, are a school record.
Juggling an academic workload with football responsibilities and the myriad uncertainties brought forth by a global pandemic have made Hadley’s experience as a Greyhound one to remember.
“It gets tough going through all those workouts, but you only get a certain amount of time to play football,” Hadley said. “In the end, you’re not going to regret sticking it out.”
