RUMSON – Charlie Volker, a football and track standout and record-setter at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, has made a verbal commitment to join the football program at Princeton University.
Volker, a senior and tailback on the RFH varsity football team, received multiple offers from Ivy and Patriot League programs but had his heart set on playing for the Princeton Tigers.
“My parents used to take me up to hockey games at Princeton when I was young, and when I got older and started my college search, I realized the prestigious school had everything I was looking for – good academics, good football, good food,” Volker said. “I grew up loving the Princeton Tigers, and I’m excited to spend the next four years at a physically and academically challenging university.”
During last year’s football season, his first as a starting tailback, Volker rushed for a school-record 2,108 yards and completed 24 touchdowns. He led the Shore Conference in rushing and ended the season with a ranking of second in the state.
He was instrumental in helping the Bulldogs attain their second state sectional title in four seasons, rushing for 93 yards and scoring a touchdown in a Group II game against previously undefeated Weequahic High School. In the ensuing semi-final game against Rahway High School, he set a new RFH record for single-game rushing by covering 314 yards. Near the end of the nail-biter, he ran 80 yards to complete a game-winning touchdown with just 6 seconds left on the clock.
He has been named a team captain for the 2014 football season at RFH.
In addition to beginning his varsity football career during his sophomore year at RFH, Volker is a four-year varsity letter winner in the school’s track and field program. He was the 2014 Shore Conference Champion in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races, and a 2014 Group II Central State Champion in those events as well. He was a top-10 finisher at the Meet of Champions in the 200-meter race and finished in 11th place in the 100-meter event. He also participated in long jump and javelin for RFH.
Volker was chosen to receive the prestigious Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award, presented April 26, at The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. His academic achievements include attaining high honor roll as well as membership in the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society at RFH. He is also president of the school’s film club.
Volker is a summer camp counselor for and member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His volunteer activities include the preparation of holiday meals at St. Luke’s Church in Long Branch.
Pending the completion of his application and his formal acceptance into Princeton University, Volker will join RFH graduate Thomas Martello, who is currently a freshman linebacker for the Tigers.
“Charlie is an outstanding football player, student, and leader – and more importantly, he is an even better person,” RFH varsity head football coach Bryan Batchler said. “We could not be more proud of Charlie for his decision to commit to the admissions process at Princeton University.”
