Stats and scores shouldn’t overshadow personality and values. Athletes often experience a world in which they are pigeonholed and only viewed through a performance-based lens. For Kendal Septs, an offensive lineman here at Houston Christian University, football isn’t all that defines him. Rather, that’s just part of the foundation that has shaped him and his passion for helping others.
When it came to choosing a college, Septs was initially committed to another university but he decided to decommit midway through his senior year. The combination of a supportive coaching staff and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy drew Septs to join the Huskies.
“HCU was still an up-and-coming program, and I saw it as a chance to build something from the ground up,” he says.
Moreover, his decision was influenced by the proximity to home, allowing him to stay close to his support system which he values greatly.
“I’m big on friends and family, and having a support system around you, so I try to make as much time for them as I can with football still being a priority for me,” he says.
Septs learned the importance of playing with intention through a challenging experience early in his career.
“Do everything like it’s your last because, in the game of football, you never know when your last play is going to be.”
That’s a truth Septs says hit him hard in 2021 when he tore his patellar tendon during his freshman season.
“At that point, I didn’t know if I was going to play football again,” he says.
Rather than let that break him, Septs explained, “It’s just one of those things where you just have to put your head down and go to work.” The next season he played, he was on the offensive line when HCU had more rushing yards than any other Southland Conference team in 2023.
Off the field, exploring new music genres and collecting sneakers serve as much-needed outlets for Septs. From country to pop to oldies, he has a great regard for all types of music. He shares that he enjoys going to shoe conventions because “there’s a lot of stories behind shoes that people don’t really know about.”
Just like shoes, there are unexpected sides to Septs’s story that people may not anticipate.
In high school, Septs ran a small cheesecake bakery out of his kitchen. Inspired by his aunt Ashley, he learned and perfected her recipe and shared it on his social media.
“I posted it on my Instagram one day and then people just started hitting me up for some,” he shares.
After a year of operating his small business, Septs demoted his baking to a hobby for his spare time so he could focus more energy on his game.
This dedication to balancing his passions continues here at HCU.
Septs has not just made a name for himself on the field, but he also played a key role in rechartering the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on campus. Together with eight other brothers, Septs helped revive an important part of HCU’s Greek life.
Septs is a proud member of the historically Black fraternity with a strong commitment to community service. Their motto — “First of all, servants of all, we shall transcend all,” speaks directly to his personal values.
“It’s about helping people, regardless of their background,” he explains.
One act of community service that has meant the most to him is the Christmastime tradition of gathering a few brothers and putting together some money to cover the cost of someone’s groceries. He recalls an emotional moment when the fraternity brothers paid for a man’s groceries for the first time.
“He broke down in tears because he had just lost his job a month before. Our simple gesture meant more to him than I expected,” Septs says.
That experience helped him realize the importance of empathy and giving back.
As his undergrad nears its end in December, Septs plans to complete his final collegiate football season at HCU while pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Upon completion, Septs has long-term plans to transition into coaching football at the high school level.
“My experience here at HCU has been one I’ll cherish forever. I’ve met great people, built lifelong relationships, and been through a lot,” he reflects.
Football may have brought him to HCU, but Septs is more than just an offensive lineman. His story is one of resilience, growth, and giving back. From overcoming an injury to rechartering a fraternity chapter, Septs continues to leave a positive and inspiring impact on the field and in the community.