Photo by: Hannahally Photography
The Ultimate Teammate
12/9/2021 9:41:00 PM | Football, Student Athlete, Features, Flight 45
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
Pete Haffner came back to Lehigh for a fifth year because of one thing… his teammates.
"As soon as the NCAA announced that student-athletes were going to get another year because of COVID, I knew I wanted to come back," he said. "A big reason I wanted to come back was my teammates. I wanted to be back with them.
"I have a lot of great connections at Lehigh, and I really didn't want to let them down."
Haffner certainly has nothing to worry about. He's done everything but let his teammates down over his career in the Brown and White. A three-time All-Patriot League linebacker, Haffner earned his Bachelor of Science in finance last spring, and is currently working towards his Master's in Accounting.
Haffner had actually secured a job when he changed course, deciding to return for a fifth year.
"I had a job set up in investment banking at Stifel, but it really made me realize my passion for football," he said. "I think I'm going to get into coaching football after I'm done playing.
"I'm excited for what lies ahead."
Before looking ahead, let's look back to Haffner's decorated career… He saw time from the beginning, playing in Lehigh's first eight games of the season as a rookie. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 11 contests, starting four at linebacker and earning Academic All-Patriot League honors.
Haffner was then named second team All-League as a junior, senior and this fall as a graduate student.
Initially, the mental side helped draw Haffner to linebacker.
"I really started playing football my eighth-grade year," he said. "I played soccer up until that point. I always wanted to play quarterback, but no one ever gave me a shot there, so I stuck with linebacker; I hit the weights, got bigger and better and I really enjoyed it. I liked the physicality part of it, but I liked the mental side, too."
What are some of the mental responsibilities as a linebacker?
"We have to set the defense," said Haffner. "The defensive coordinator gives the call and we set the line up front. We tell everybody what direction we're blitzing if we're blitzing. So we really just get everyone into place and make sure everyone's on the same page. If the quarterback makes a check, we can check into something else to either flip the blitz or check into something better."
Haffner takes satisfaction in the process of preparing for a game, then executing on gameday.
"Just going out there and being so prepared that you know you're going to be successful on the field, especially at defense, is such a rewarding feeling," he said. "All the film watching, all the practice, all the weights and then going out there Saturday to make a play. You know all that went into it."
"Pete has an insatiable appetite to know everything about the game," said Lehigh head coach Tom Gilmore. "He set a high standard with his knowledge of our schemes and how to make the right adjustments against the opponent's formations and tendencies. His command of the game gives everyone on the field the confidence that we are doing the best thing in each circumstance, and that raises the team's performance as well as his own."
Thinking back, Haffner wouldn't have wanted to perform anywhere but Lehigh.
"A big reason why I came to Lehigh was because I was looking for a great combination of academics and athletic success," said the State College, Pa. native. "I knew about Lehigh's business school and the great institution it is, along with the rich history of Division I football.
"I had a former teammate who was also part of the [Lehigh] program," Haffner continued. "So when I got up here and got to meet the people in the program, I just felt really comfortable with the guys on the team, the coaching staff and the whole campus. It felt like a big family and I wanted to be a part of it."
Family is something Haffner will always associate with Lehigh football.
"We're really close," he said. "We have a lot of young guys, but I'm really excited, especially seeing the growth from the start of the season to how we finished. I've seen how hard the guys work, how much people really care about and are invested in the program. Better days are ahead. I wish I could've had more success when I was here, but I hope I helped springboard success for my teammates in the future."
"My number one goal was to be the best teammate I could be for the younger guys in the program," said Haffner. "Try to bring them along and show them the right way to do things, so they could help out the younger guys coming through after I'm gone."
In fact, several Mountain Hawks have called Haffner "the ultimate teammate."
"Pete puts the team first in every circumstance," said sophomore quarterback Dante Perri. "When he got injured, it broke his heart and made it tough for him to get through days not being able to play. However, he never missed a meeting, practice or film session. He took it upon himself to up his own level of preparation so he could be a perfect help to every other player. Pete is the type of guy who does anything for the team and the love he has for us is unmatched."
Haffner admits he's always been more of a leader by example, but learned to step outside his comfort zone as a vocal leader as well.
"It's been a rewarding experience," he said. "I believe I've gotten better with leadership as time has gone on. It's easy to be a leader when everything's going well, but when things aren't going as planned, it makes you dig deeply."
Despite the tough start to the season this fall, the Mountain Hawks kept fighting, and it paid dividends not only in the short term (ending the season with three straight wins), but also long term in teaching life lessons.
On a personal level, Haffner missed five games mid-season due to injury, but continued to serve as a positive force.
"Pete put aside his disappointment and worked hard to return from a significant injury he suffered early in the second game," said Gilmore. "Even though he couldn't play for the following five weeks, he helped his teammates improve every way he could and his desire to see the team succeed set a positive example.
"Pete was a great communicator between the staff and the team, which helped move us in the right direction," Gilmore continued. "He kept his teammates focused on the things they could control and the team didn't want to let him down after he put so much into his preparations for his final year, and into the rehab for his injury. His passion for the game and his teammates was always evident.
"Pete was a great leader at a challenging time and that was a big factor in us turning the season around."
Capping off the turnaround was Lehigh's exciting 17-10 win over Lafayette in Rivalry 157.
"Before the Lafayette game, Pete came up to me sitting alone and simply spoke with the most reassuring tone telling me how capable we were," said Perri. "He told me stories of himself as a first-year and sophomore, and embarrassing moments on the field to calm my nerves.
"Pete and I have a brother-like relationship," Perri continued. "Pete has been the most influential leader I've been around. He will be greatly missed in the Lehigh football family."
What Pete Haffner represents is something greater than football. After all, sports is a perfect microcosm of life.
"This past year for me hasn't gone as planned, especially getting hurt and missing a big chunk of the season," said Haffner. "But life is 15 percent what happens to you and 85 percent how you react to it. This past season really taught me a lot about myself, and should definitely do me well in the future."
Haffner's overall Lehigh experience has undoubtedly set him up for a strong future. Along with football and academics, he has been a Student-Athlete Mentor, part of Student-Athlete Council and on the Flight 45 Executive Board.
"I was also the president of the Uplifting Athletes chapter at Lehigh where we raised money for the rare disease community, which I'm proud of," he said. "We've had Lift for Life events where we've raised money… over $10,000 combined. I've just tried to give back as much as I possibly could to Lehigh because I've really gotten a lot out of this place."
Haffner liked his Lehigh experience so much that he doesn't want it to end last spring, and got an extra year of playing (along with a graduate education) out of it.
Along the way, he made an impact on everyone he came in contact with.
"People will remember Pete's ability to connect, lead and motivate his teammates," said senior offensive lineman Justin Gurth. "Pete's leadership abilities and positive attitude really helped the team stay together and rally for those wins late in the season. He is such a strong force and everyone looks up to him and follows his actions."
After Lehigh, Haffner hopes to get into coaching where he can continue to have an impact on those around him, but from a different role.
"Hopefully, I can get a graduate assistant position at another college and explore something new," said Haffner. "Try to get my foot in the door, start coaching somewhere. Meet some people and start transitioning into not being a student-athlete anymore."
When thinking back, Haffner will always have fond memories of his Lehigh experience, especially the way it ended – with the Mountain Hawks turning around their season in a major way down the stretch.
"I think it's a real testament to how much our guys care – how much they care about the program and care about the success of this team," he said. "We want to be successful for each other, for the program, and it's building a foundation of competitiveness and grit."
That grit will stay with Haffner as he moves forward, and with the Mountain Hawks as they move into 2022.
"I'm really happy with my decision [to come to Lehigh]," he said. "I liked it so much, I came back for a fifth year.
"I chose Lehigh twice."
Haffner wouldn't have had it any other way.
Pete Haffner came back to Lehigh for a fifth year because of one thing… his teammates.
"As soon as the NCAA announced that student-athletes were going to get another year because of COVID, I knew I wanted to come back," he said. "A big reason I wanted to come back was my teammates. I wanted to be back with them.
"I have a lot of great connections at Lehigh, and I really didn't want to let them down."
Haffner certainly has nothing to worry about. He's done everything but let his teammates down over his career in the Brown and White. A three-time All-Patriot League linebacker, Haffner earned his Bachelor of Science in finance last spring, and is currently working towards his Master's in Accounting.
Haffner had actually secured a job when he changed course, deciding to return for a fifth year.
"I had a job set up in investment banking at Stifel, but it really made me realize my passion for football," he said. "I think I'm going to get into coaching football after I'm done playing.
"I'm excited for what lies ahead."
Before looking ahead, let's look back to Haffner's decorated career… He saw time from the beginning, playing in Lehigh's first eight games of the season as a rookie. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 11 contests, starting four at linebacker and earning Academic All-Patriot League honors.
Haffner was then named second team All-League as a junior, senior and this fall as a graduate student.
Initially, the mental side helped draw Haffner to linebacker.
"I really started playing football my eighth-grade year," he said. "I played soccer up until that point. I always wanted to play quarterback, but no one ever gave me a shot there, so I stuck with linebacker; I hit the weights, got bigger and better and I really enjoyed it. I liked the physicality part of it, but I liked the mental side, too."
What are some of the mental responsibilities as a linebacker?
"We have to set the defense," said Haffner. "The defensive coordinator gives the call and we set the line up front. We tell everybody what direction we're blitzing if we're blitzing. So we really just get everyone into place and make sure everyone's on the same page. If the quarterback makes a check, we can check into something else to either flip the blitz or check into something better."
Haffner takes satisfaction in the process of preparing for a game, then executing on gameday.
"Just going out there and being so prepared that you know you're going to be successful on the field, especially at defense, is such a rewarding feeling," he said. "All the film watching, all the practice, all the weights and then going out there Saturday to make a play. You know all that went into it."
In many ways, Haffner is like having an extra coach on the field commanding the defense.Pete Haffner outta nowhere! 💪💪
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) November 13, 2021
Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/7YTZlkpwzR#GoLehigh | #beGREAT pic.twitter.com/5GHs5k2VNu
"Pete has an insatiable appetite to know everything about the game," said Lehigh head coach Tom Gilmore. "He set a high standard with his knowledge of our schemes and how to make the right adjustments against the opponent's formations and tendencies. His command of the game gives everyone on the field the confidence that we are doing the best thing in each circumstance, and that raises the team's performance as well as his own."
Thinking back, Haffner wouldn't have wanted to perform anywhere but Lehigh.
"A big reason why I came to Lehigh was because I was looking for a great combination of academics and athletic success," said the State College, Pa. native. "I knew about Lehigh's business school and the great institution it is, along with the rich history of Division I football.
"I had a former teammate who was also part of the [Lehigh] program," Haffner continued. "So when I got up here and got to meet the people in the program, I just felt really comfortable with the guys on the team, the coaching staff and the whole campus. It felt like a big family and I wanted to be a part of it."
Family is something Haffner will always associate with Lehigh football.
"We're really close," he said. "We have a lot of young guys, but I'm really excited, especially seeing the growth from the start of the season to how we finished. I've seen how hard the guys work, how much people really care about and are invested in the program. Better days are ahead. I wish I could've had more success when I was here, but I hope I helped springboard success for my teammates in the future."
In just the distant past (mere weeks), Haffner played a strong role in setting up the Mountain Hawks' future – not only as a player on the field, but also as a teammate, leader and friend.LEHIGH BEATS LAFAYETTE IN #RIVALRY157! 👏🙌😤 pic.twitter.com/pQXD31CyVg
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) November 20, 2021
"My number one goal was to be the best teammate I could be for the younger guys in the program," said Haffner. "Try to bring them along and show them the right way to do things, so they could help out the younger guys coming through after I'm gone."
In fact, several Mountain Hawks have called Haffner "the ultimate teammate."
"Pete puts the team first in every circumstance," said sophomore quarterback Dante Perri. "When he got injured, it broke his heart and made it tough for him to get through days not being able to play. However, he never missed a meeting, practice or film session. He took it upon himself to up his own level of preparation so he could be a perfect help to every other player. Pete is the type of guy who does anything for the team and the love he has for us is unmatched."
Haffner admits he's always been more of a leader by example, but learned to step outside his comfort zone as a vocal leader as well.
"It's been a rewarding experience," he said. "I believe I've gotten better with leadership as time has gone on. It's easy to be a leader when everything's going well, but when things aren't going as planned, it makes you dig deeply."
Despite the tough start to the season this fall, the Mountain Hawks kept fighting, and it paid dividends not only in the short term (ending the season with three straight wins), but also long term in teaching life lessons.
On a personal level, Haffner missed five games mid-season due to injury, but continued to serve as a positive force.
"Pete put aside his disappointment and worked hard to return from a significant injury he suffered early in the second game," said Gilmore. "Even though he couldn't play for the following five weeks, he helped his teammates improve every way he could and his desire to see the team succeed set a positive example.
"Pete was a great communicator between the staff and the team, which helped move us in the right direction," Gilmore continued. "He kept his teammates focused on the things they could control and the team didn't want to let him down after he put so much into his preparations for his final year, and into the rehab for his injury. His passion for the game and his teammates was always evident.
"Pete was a great leader at a challenging time and that was a big factor in us turning the season around."
Capping off the turnaround was Lehigh's exciting 17-10 win over Lafayette in Rivalry 157.
"Before the Lafayette game, Pete came up to me sitting alone and simply spoke with the most reassuring tone telling me how capable we were," said Perri. "He told me stories of himself as a first-year and sophomore, and embarrassing moments on the field to calm my nerves.
"Pete and I have a brother-like relationship," Perri continued. "Pete has been the most influential leader I've been around. He will be greatly missed in the Lehigh football family."
What Pete Haffner represents is something greater than football. After all, sports is a perfect microcosm of life.
"This past year for me hasn't gone as planned, especially getting hurt and missing a big chunk of the season," said Haffner. "But life is 15 percent what happens to you and 85 percent how you react to it. This past season really taught me a lot about myself, and should definitely do me well in the future."
Haffner's overall Lehigh experience has undoubtedly set him up for a strong future. Along with football and academics, he has been a Student-Athlete Mentor, part of Student-Athlete Council and on the Flight 45 Executive Board.
"I was also the president of the Uplifting Athletes chapter at Lehigh where we raised money for the rare disease community, which I'm proud of," he said. "We've had Lift for Life events where we've raised money… over $10,000 combined. I've just tried to give back as much as I possibly could to Lehigh because I've really gotten a lot out of this place."
Haffner liked his Lehigh experience so much that he doesn't want it to end last spring, and got an extra year of playing (along with a graduate education) out of it.
Along the way, he made an impact on everyone he came in contact with.
"People will remember Pete's ability to connect, lead and motivate his teammates," said senior offensive lineman Justin Gurth. "Pete's leadership abilities and positive attitude really helped the team stay together and rally for those wins late in the season. He is such a strong force and everyone looks up to him and follows his actions."
After Lehigh, Haffner hopes to get into coaching where he can continue to have an impact on those around him, but from a different role.
"Hopefully, I can get a graduate assistant position at another college and explore something new," said Haffner. "Try to get my foot in the door, start coaching somewhere. Meet some people and start transitioning into not being a student-athlete anymore."
When thinking back, Haffner will always have fond memories of his Lehigh experience, especially the way it ended – with the Mountain Hawks turning around their season in a major way down the stretch.
"I think it's a real testament to how much our guys care – how much they care about the program and care about the success of this team," he said. "We want to be successful for each other, for the program, and it's building a foundation of competitiveness and grit."
That grit will stay with Haffner as he moves forward, and with the Mountain Hawks as they move into 2022.
"I'm really happy with my decision [to come to Lehigh]," he said. "I liked it so much, I came back for a fifth year.
"I chose Lehigh twice."
Haffner wouldn't have had it any other way.
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