When Andy Collins ‘07 went out for high school football, he didn’t plan on being a quarterback. A football player since signing up for Grid Kids as a third grader, he was always one of the bigger kids and was used to playing defensive line and tight end.

“The high school team didn’t have a quarterback in my class, and the coach asked if I would try it,” says Andy, who grew up in Zillah, Washington. “It took a while to get used to the position, but I think it grew on me a little.”

Playing quarterback has turned out to be a perfect fit. Named SCIAC Offensive Player of the year for the third time, Andy ranked 15th in NCAA Division III passing efficiency, 13th in total yardage, and directed an offense that scored 37.6 points a game in 2006. With Andy at the helm, the Tigers are currently sporting a 26-game regular season winning streak, which dates back to the second game of the 2004 season.

Before transferring to Occidental, Andy was a Division I football player at the University of Oregon. When his coaches wanted him to shift to defense, he took a year off from sports to consider his future as a student and athlete.  Andy decided he wasn’t ready to give up football, and that he wanted to attend a small school in an urban location with a good academic reputation.  He found the right combination at Occidental.

“For the players here, football isn’t life,” says Andy, a sociology major and kinesiology minor, and a member of the Newman Center and Student Athletic Advisory Committee.  “It’s something we all love, but most likely we’re going to end up doing something else as a career. I really appreciate the fact that our head coach stresses academics and all the coaches are more than willing to accommodate you if you have a class or lab that runs late.”  

Andy’s football education continues too, both on and off the field. During the season he meets several times a week with the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. “There is a lot more that goes into being a quarterback than athletic ability. Even at the Division III level, the game is fast and complex. You need to understand the X’s and O’s, because as a quarterback you’re also a coach on the field.”