Lehigh University Athletics
Two of Bethlehem's finest
10/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Growing up on the north side of Bethlehem, Brendan Van Ackeren often came to Lehigh football games and watched the likes of Phil Stambaugh, Mike Gregorek and Mark Borda as they made their mark on the gridiron. Over on the south side of town, Quadir Carter suited up for the Bethlehem Saints youth football team as a youngster, and throughout his childhood, was readily exposed to Lehigh University and all it had to offer. Now in their senior seasons, Van Ackeren and Carter are two of the leaders of the Mountain Hawks football program, and their impact has been felt by many, both on the field and off.
While in high school, Van Ackeren participated in numerous sports, including basketball where he played point guard. As he was bringing the ball up court during a game, his future college teammate sat in the stands and let Van Ackeren know what he thought of him. “We used to boo the opposing point guard at basketball games,” Carter says with a grin. “So here comes Brendan up the court and we’re all booing him; so yes, I knew about him before I came to Lehigh.”
Van Ackeren quickly chimes in, “When we first got here (to Lehigh), “Q” mentioned that he had seen me play basketball in high school and that triggered my mind back to that game when I was getting booed.”
Carter is one year older than Van Ackeren, having attended The Hill School in Pottstown for a year of post-graduate schooling after graduating from Freedom High School. “I struggled academically in high school and wasn’t very interested in any of the subjects being taught. Still, I could have gone to college, but my high school coach (Jim Morgans) talked to me about considering prep school. It turned out to be a great decision.”
Carter continues, “The Hill School helped me in a lot of ways. It prepared me for the rigorous academics and it helped me in adjusting to a much different social scene. By the time I came to Lehigh, the transition wasn’t nearly as tough as when I went to prep school. I really enjoy learning here at Lehigh; I’m able to select the courses I want to take and it makes things interesting.”
“I had talked to the coaches at Lehigh and they were very interested in Quadir,” Morgans explains. “They recommended that he go to prep school and he took it from there. He used football as a vehicle and I’m very proud of him.”
Carter credits Morgans, now the head coach at Parkland High School, as one of the major influences in his life. “Quadir is one of the toughest kids I’ve ever had,” Morgans says. “He had to go a longer route than some kids to attain his goals, but he’s a success story.” Morgans continues, “He’s never made excuses and it’s a testament to his never-quit attitude.”
“Quadir is a very motivated young man,” Lehigh head coach Andy Coen explains. “He understands the opportunity that he has been afforded here at Lehigh and sees the big picture.” Coen adds, “He’s matured a lot since I’ve been here and really opened up.”
While Carter was attending The Hill School, Van Ackeren was contemplating where he would attend college upon graduation from Liberty High School. It was then that a former Lehigh football player, Jim Seratelli, offered his thoughts on the University just down the street. “I coached Brendan during his senior year at Liberty and quickly noticed that he was an outstanding person from an outstanding family,” Seratelli explains. “He’s very bright, he’s polite and I was immediately drawn to him.”
Seratelli continues, “As I’m watching Brendan, the entire time I’m thinking, this is the perfect Lehigh guy. He gives 100-percent on the field, he’s smart, the young guys look up to him, he’s an incredibly hard working individual and I just knew that Lehigh University would be a perfect fit for him.”
“I knew that Lehigh would be a good fit,” Van Ackeren says. “I knew it was a good school, I knew about the tradition and it just felt like the right environment for me.”
Since arriving at Lehigh, Carter and Van Ackeren have excelled in all facets of their collegiate experience. Both student-athletes carry over a 3.2 grade point average and have made multiple appearances on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. “Brendan is very bright and has done extremely well in the quite demanding classes he has taken with me,” explains Robert Storer, an engineering professor at Lehigh. “He is soft spoken and prefers to lead by example, and through hard work, discipline and sacrifice Brendan’s been able to balance a rigorous course load while playing football at the same time.”
In addition to excelling in the classroom, Carter and Van Ackeren recognize the impact they have on younger kids throughout the area. “I look at it as a leadership role because people from my area can watch me and follow in my footsteps,” Carter explains. “I went back to my elementary school and while I was talking to the students, I told them that I attended school there, so right away I had an instant connection.”
Van Ackeren adds, “Our former coaches and teammates support us and it’s neat for the kids currently in high school to see the connection to Lehigh University first-hand.”
Morgans certainly understands how big an impact Carter can have on the local scene. “I have Quadir come out and talk to my football team – I don’t let too many people come talk to my team. He’s a very intelligent kid, he’s easy to talk to and I’m very proud of the fact that he (Quadir) thinks so highly of me and that we still have a relationship.”
“Brendan and Quadir have worked very hard since they’ve been here,” explains Coen. “Brendan has really developed physically in terms of his strength and speed, and has become more than just a special teams player for us. He always understood what we were doing from a schematic standpoint and now he’s added the physical aspect.” Coen added, “Quadir has always been a hitter and more of a physical player, but he’s really become a student of the game.”
Because of the impact his coaches, teachers and mentors have had on him, Carter has aspirations of entering the coaching and teaching profession upon graduation. Van Ackeren is still unsure of exactly what he plans to do, but is highly interested in business, and would like to pursue an MBA. Wherever life takes this pair of Lehigh Valley lifers, they both know that Lehigh University played a huge role in allowing them to get there.
“I’ve learned that you must take advantage of every opportunity here at Lehigh,” Carter explains. “Not everyone is as fortunate as we are to come here and so we must cherish the moment.” Van Ackeren adds, “From a football standpoint, I don’t take anything for granted. I want to approach every game like it’s my last. The important thing to remember at a place like Lehigh is to find your niche and use the countless resources available to you throughout campus.”
Van Ackeren, Carter and the rest of the Mountain Hawks return to action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Massachusetts to take on the Harvard Crimson. Kick-off from Harvard Stadium is set for 12:30 and all of the action will be televised live on WFMZ-TV, as well as Lehighsports.com. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha '00 and Matt Markus on the call.
