WashU Football Player Stars in Campus Theater Show
Cornerback Izzy Mbatai balances collegiate football duties with a lead role in the university production of Mean Girls.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Football
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Washington University in St. Louis cornerback Izzy Mbatai is currently performing in the university's production of Mean Girls. The junior, who wears No. 2, occupies his time with the arts after learning he would not travel for away football games.
Why it matters
Mbatai's participation highlights the unique challenges and opportunities for student-athletes at the Division III level. He utilizes his time not spent on the road with the No. 8-ranked football team to pursue his interest in performing arts.
Mbatai is one of 118 players on the football roster, a squad that carries 60 players on its travel list. He maintains his schedule while balancing performances across a five-show production run.
The players
Izzy Mbatai
He is a junior business and computer science student at Washington University in St. Louis who plays cornerback.
Washington University in St. Louis
This is a private research university that hosts the No. 8-ranked football program and an active performing arts department.
The details
While Mbatai attends football practices at Francis Olympic Field on Mondays through Thursdays, he spends Wednesday and Thursday evenings in rehearsals at the Edison Theatre. As a business and computer science major, he manages these extracurricular commitments while maintaining an average of 7.5 hours of sleep per night.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: The Mean Girls production run begins at the university.
October 25, 2026: The final theater performance concludes.
October 31, 2026: The football team is scheduled to play Denison University.
Season Trajectory
The dual-commitment of a varsity athlete highlights the flexibility inherent in the collegiate sports landscape outside of major athletic conferences. Mbatai remains a contributor to a top-10 program while fulfilling personal goals within the arts community.
Mbatai's limited travel status means he is not expected to be on the roster for the upcoming away game against Denison University on October 31. His participation in the theater production occupies his time through the end of October.
The takeaway
Student-athletes often manage rigorous schedules that extend well beyond the athletic field. Finding balance between competitive sports and creative passions remains a cornerstone of the undergraduate experience at many institutions.
Further reading
For more on local campus athletics, visit the St. Louis Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Student Life.
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