Andrew Paulsen '99
Football, men's track and field
Paulsen has the unique distinction of receiving all-America honors in both football and men's track and field.
A standout at Waverly-Shell Rock High School, Paulsen was a 1998 AFCA Division III all-America team pick and a second-team choice on the Hewlett-Packard all-America squad. He was also a first-team all-conference selection and received Central's Mel VerMeer Loyalty Award.
His seven interceptions in 1998 are tied for third on Central's all-time list, and his 20 passes defended ranks second. For his career he's tied for second in passes defended (39), fourth in punt return yards (631), tied for ninth in interceptions (11) and ninth in punt return yard average (10.9). He compiled 163 tackles over four seasons with 28 pass breakups.
Paulsen was a member of two conference championship teams and a two-time NCAA playoff participant.
The 1996 men's track and field team MVP and 1998 co-captain, Paulsen received all-America distinction after helping the Dutch finish fourth in the 1998 4x400-meter relay. He also was a national qualifier in the 4x100. He was a nine-time conference placewinner in the relays, 100 meters, 400 meters and long jump. Central won three league team titles during Paulsen's career and placed eighth at the 1998 national meet, after finishing 21st the previous year. Following graduation, Paulsen played semipro football in Germany for two years.
Paulsen received masters of public health and doctor of pharmacy degrees from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and Public Health. He worked for Hot Shots Nuclear Medicine in Rockford, Illinois and is now a nuclear pharmacist, supervising the radiopharmaceutical laboratory in nuclear medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He's also served as a youth soccer and basketball coach.
2018 Athletics Hall of Honor inductees: Libby Hysell Carlton '03, Tony Brownlee '02, Andrew Paulsen '99.
