Princeton linebacker Starks makes just as big an impact off the field

Stats get forgotten. Few remember the numbers of even the most revered athletes. Game-winning heroics in the fourth quarter also fade in our consciousness. However, it is harder to forget stories about athletes off the field. For Princeton’s All-Ivy junior linebacker Andrew Starks, the most defining moment of his football career has not come from his awards or accolades, his stats, or any of his personal game-changing plays he’s made over three seasons at Princeton.

“I just think he’s one of those guys who has high character, high energy—you like being around him,” Princeton Head Coach Bob Surace said.

Born in 1990, Andrew Starks seemed to be a prime candidate to be a football standout. His father, Kevin, played in the NFL after an illustrious collegiate career at the University of Minnesota.

“Though my father played a monumental role in my football career, and in my athletic development as a whole for that matter, he was not the one who first suggested that I play football,” Starks said.
He started by playing catch with his father and eventually began his organized career with a group of his friends in the park district where his dad was the coach.

At Plainfield North High School in Plainfield, Ill., Starks stood out in academics, extracurriculars,and athletics.

“I loved the feeling I got running out of the tunnel under the lights every Friday night in high school,” he said.

Starks, who played quarterback, racked up numerous honors including his team’s MVP, an Illinois State Scholar, and an All-State honoree for football. Heavily recruited by D-1 schools across the country as a safety, schools such as Boston College, Colorado State, Air Force, and Brown all looked to bring him to their programs. Despite all these scholarship offers, when he took his official NCAA visit to Princeton, he knew.

“I realized that was the right place for me. Princeton is the best of both worlds. It has a rich athletic tradition in addition to a world-renowned academic reputation,” Starks said.

From his freshman year, Starks made an impact. He recorded 33 tackles, recovered a fumble, and earned the Harland “Pink” Baker ‘22 Award, given to the Tigers’ top defensive freshman.
“Making my first start freshman year was a big moment for me,” Stark said. “Any playing time during freshman year helps build a foundation of comfort and confidence for the remainder of an athlete’s career.”

However, he did not just limit himself to being exceptional on the football field during his freshman year.

“If there’s something we want to do with the Princeton Varsity Club or other leadership roles, he was already in a lot of those roles as a young player. If they wanted a freshman, he was the guy,” Surace said.

In his sophomore year, he switched to playing linebacker, a position he had never played.

Starks embraced the challenge, pushing himself in the off-season. He came in full-force against opposing offenses, recording 89 tackles, including 12 at Columbia when the Tigers fell 42-14, and picking off two passes that year, earning him an All-Ivy League Honorable Mention.

“He just has a great way of controlling his emotions by flicking a switch and playing good hard football. He’s really done a good job with that,” Surace said.

Although the Tigers haven’t won a game since Sept. 25 last year, Starks plans to turn Princeton’s fortunes around this season. Leading the Ivy League in tackles amongst underclassmen, Starks has shown his leadership, and as a leader of Princeton’s defense, he will be ready to challenge the Lions as both teams go for their first win of the season.

“Our goal is winning the next game,” Surace said.