EPHLIGHT – austin Lommen ’16 by Eric Hirsch ’19 After A Year of Adjustments Seeks to Lead the Ephs to Successful Season WITH A FULL YEAR UNDER CENTER Purple Valley and interacting with the current Lommen’s biggest adjustment was the step up at Williams already under his belt, senior players, Lommen transferred to Williams. “I in academic rigor at Williams. “Classes here push quarterback and captain Austin Lommen really appreciated the pride that the Williams you to have original thoughts and think outside the hopes to lead the Eph football program to football players took in truly embodying the box, and though I’ve really enjoyed being pushed, a turnaround season. The Boston College term "student-athlete," which was sometimes it was certainly a challenge to come in the fall transfer believes that senior class leadership muddied at the Division I level. Since making and get used to a new school, new environment, will help get the team back on the right track. the change, I'm absolutely sure it has been the new teammates, and a new way to think – all at After two consecutive losing seasons, the 18 right choice, and I'm extremely thankful to be once,” he said. Lommen is an Economics major Eph seniors had extra motivation to improve here,” he said. and a Leadership Studies concentrator. “This past in the off-season. According to Lommen, the Lommen earned the starting quarterback year I’ve become particularly interested in policy senior leadership has been especially evident role in his inaugural season as an Eph. The 2014 issues, which I plan to continue studying this in the linebacking core (four seniors) and on season kicked off with a week one, 36-0 victory fall in ‘Behavioral Economics and Public Policy,’ the offensive line (five seniors). over Bowdoin in the first game played on the and in a tutorial called ‘Wealth in America,’” he The Ephs will count on Lommen to newly constructed Farley-Lamb Field. Lommen said. After graduation, he hopes to find a job in provide leadership from the quarterback connected on 18-27 passes for 184 yards and a investment banking. position. Offensive Coordinator Kyle Smesko touchdown in the game. Lommen describes himself as a pro-style said, “Austin came in from day one and wanted The Ephs could not build on the initial quarterback. “I can run enough to keep the to lead the team. He understands that is what success, as they would win only one of their defense honest, but I am definitely a pass-first the quarterback position is about and what it remaining seven games. Lommen finished the quarterback,” he said. A good portion of his needs to be. He leads by example and wants to season 157-256 (61.3 %) for 1,495 yards with job occurs before the ball is even snapped. perfect in everything he does.” seven touchdown passes and nine interceptions. The quarterback must make sure the right The Minneapolis native played football, Despite a disappointing won-loss record, personnel is in the huddle, evaluate the basketball, and baseball for the Breck School. Williams was only a few breaks away from a defensive alignment, either confirm or change “In basketball, I played center, and in baseball, winning season. Four of the Ephs’ six losses the play, and then snap the ball and execute I played every position but catcher, though were by eight or less points. In addition, injuries the play. “[Austin] has come in and been an I miss pitching the most,” said Lommen. At hindered the Ephs on both sides of the ball. impact and leader on and off the field,” noted Williams, he joined the JV basketball team and Those players are now healthy Eph head coach Aaron Kelton. has strongly considered trying out for baseball. and the Ephs start the 2015 “He accepted his role and fought Despite his love for baseball and basketball, season with more depth on the everyday to get in the position he is Lommen always dreamed of playing Division I offensive line, defensive line, in. He is a true student of the game football. As a result, football drove his college and at tight end. and a good communicator. He is a search. “Towards the end of my freshman year in Lommen looks to improve competitor and loves and believes in high school the idea of playing in college became upon the 2014 season and his teammates.” more real to me, and the recruiting process help Williams achieve the began to take shape,” said Lommen. His college ultimate goal of winning the decision would ultimately come down to taking NESCAC. “Austin possesses + a preferred walk-on position at Boston College natural leadership qualities. Q A or pursue a post-graduate year opportunity at a He is the true definition of favorites prep school. He chose Boston College. student-athlete on and off the field and FOOD Steak After spending two years on the sidelines when your quarterback can lead by example, TV SHOW Friends at Boston College, Lommen considered the team tends to follow,” said quarterbacks transferring. “I wanted to find a place where I Coach KiJuan Ware. CARTOON Tom & Jerry felt like part of a team again, somewhere where Coming from a Division I BOOK Excellent Sheep I could get a chance to get back on the field, football team to a small Division III by William Deresiewicz and somewhere where I would be challenged academics-driven institution has been ACTOR Denzel Washington academically,” said Lommen. Out of high an adjustment. Football-wise, Division WILLIAMS school, several NESCAC schools showed I athletes possess more physical gifts PROFESSOR Satyan Devadoss interest in him. Naturally, when Lommen first than their Division III counterparts. thought about transferring, he reached out to “The biggest difference is obviously PRO ATHLETE Peyton Manning former high school teammate Steven Kiesel the speed, size, and strength of the SPORT OTHER ’15. “When I called Steven, he told me he competition. However, I’ve been really THAN FOOTBALL Baseball thought I would really fit in at Williams, and thrilled to be surrounded by guys that NFL TEAM after talking to the coaches I decided to come are equally passionate about the game Minnesota Vikings out for a visit,” said Lommen. After visiting the here at Williams,” said Lommen. 54.