Haffner grows from compact recruit to standout participant

After a profitable junior calendar year of large school soccer actively playing for the Minor Lions of Point out Higher education Spot Substantial School in State Higher education, Pennsylvania, Pete Haffner was anticipating college or university football presents to get started rolling in. 

Whilst he was becoming noticed by Patriot and Ivy League faculties, gives have been not forthcoming. 

Former Condition College or university teammate and freshman defensive back again for Lehigh, John Seighman emphasised to the coaching employees that they need to take a closer search into Haffner as he would make an fast effects on the team. 

As the recruiting procedure was coming to an conclude for Haffner, a Lehigh recruit de-commited, which opened up a place on the workforce. Haffner stuffed the opening, been given a partial scholarship and then commenced his journey as a Mountain Hawk.

Haffner has been a essential linebacker for Lehigh considering that he stepped on to campus four years in the past. 

In 2019, Haffner was named next-crew All-Patriot League as very well as remaining named to the  All-Tutorial group. 

Haffner’s planning enables him to keep concentrated on the soccer industry and in the classroom. 

“Prioritizing university and soccer and hoping my ideal has allowed me to harmony equally,” Haffner stated. “I try to go away no stone unturned. The preparing I put in for a soccer recreation is what I put into the classroom.” 

With the Patriot League granting slide sports activities an extra yr of eligibility, Haffner jumped on the opportunity to go on his educational and athletic vocation at Lehigh.

“The most important rationale as to why I desired to occur again for a fifth 12 months had been my teammates,” Haffner explained. “The previous couple many years I have experienced a great practical experience at Lehigh because of them, and felt if I did not occur again or transferred I would be allowing them down. Immediately after the earlier 4 a long time, I want to complete out my football profession with them.”

Haffner designs on applying his fifth 12 months of eligibility to even further his academic occupation by earning his Master’s diploma in accounting. He’s excited for the challenge of balancing finance and accounting classes alongside with actively playing soccer. Haffner thinks taking a heavy study course load when playing his final period will assistance him improve and make him a much more well-rounded unique.

Head mentor Tom Gilmore stated Haffner coming back again for a fifth 12 months will proceed to bolster the staff. 

“He is a large example of another person who truly receives the most out of his capability,” Gilmore explained. “That case in point that he sets for the rest of the workforce has an even even larger effect for a youthful team like we have.”

Junior offensive lineman Justin Gurth, described Haffner as an individual who potential customers by instance, an excellent performer in the classroom and an energetic person on the discipline. 

“When it is third down, you want Pete Haffner in the activity mainly because he is likely to make the cease,” Gurth claimed. “Whether it is breaking up a move, sacking the quarterback or making the goal-line stand, he’s the man you want on 3rd down to make that play.”

The 2021 spring period was not what the Mountain Hawks experienced hoped for. Due to recreation cancellations connected to COVID-19, the group finished the season -3. Having said that, the staff seems to perform difficult in the off-year to prove persons improper.

“Next year is heading to be a grind,” Gurth reported. “Nothing is handed to you. A significant portion of it will be from our off-year teaching. Lifting, managing, velocity, explosion. We’re a young staff and with Pete (Haffner) obtaining so significantly practical experience [it]will help the staff consider a enormous step getting the younger guys on the proper web page discovering and feeding off of his strength.”

Whilst the Mountain Hawks played really hard and received far better, Haffner needs the crew to go into the drop with a win-now state of mind.

“I consider our defense is heading to expand and be distinctive this fall,” Haffner claimed. “We should be able to contend for a Patriot League Championship.”