Football's Zavala Adds Rhodes Scholarship to Memorable Day

Zar Zavala won two things on Saturday: a football game against Yale and the one of the world’s most prestigious scholarships.

Zavala, a walk-on senior wide receiver, found out just after yesterday’s game that he received the Rhodes Scholarship.

“Today is definitely the best day of my life,” Zavala said.

The native of El Paso, Texas, flew home Friday to participate in the final round of interviews for the scholarship. He arrived at Harvard Stadium just before halftime and suited up to watch the Crimson come from behind to beat Yale, 28-21.

“[I was] walking around the field, searching for my family,” Zavala said. “I find them, they have my phone. I turn it on and it says, ‘Congratulations, you’re a Rhodes scholar.’”

Zavala is an engineering sciences and neurobiology concentrator in Kirkland House. He was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa earlier this month.

“I can’t think of a better day,” he said.