2023 Football Roster
Banks-Altekruse, Ben
Jersey Number 45
Ben Banks-Altekruse
- Position:
- K/P
- Height:
- 6-1
- Weight:
- 210
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Berkeley, Calif.
- High School:
- Saint Mary's College HS
- Major:
- Supply Chain Management
Bio
Why Lehigh?: “I felt like Lehigh was the perfect fit for me. It offered a great balance of academics and athletics. I wanted to be a part of such a strong football program.”
As a senior (2023): Once again handled Lehigh’s punting and holding duties… averaged 41.3 yards per punt to rank second in the Patriot League… placed 29 of his 62 punts inside the opponents’ 20 yard line… boomed season-long 58 yard punt at Monmouth (9/30)… placed all eight of his punts inside the opponents’ 20 at Monmouth… named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
As a junior (2022): Served as Lehigh’s punter and holder in all 11 games… averaged 39.6 yards on 51 punts… boomed 72-yard punt at Cornell (10/15)… placed 16 punts inside opponents’ 20 yard line.
As a sophomore (2021): Served as Lehigh’s holder for placements over final five games… also listed as No. 2 punter.
As a freshman (spring 2021): Debuted in second half of Lafayette game… kicked off twice, averaging 62.5 yards per kickoff… converted only extra point attempt…named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
In high school: First team All-League as a junior and senior… No. 1-ranked punter in California and No. 22 in the nation according to Kohl’s Kicking… averaged school-record 44.5 yards per punt as a senior… also played wide receiver… four-year letter winner in soccer… honor roll student.
Personal: Son of Charles Altekruse and Barbara Banks… has younger brother Jeremy… father rowed at Harvard… mother played rugby at Middlebury.
CAREER STATISTICS
Punting
CAREER HIGHS
Punts: 9, at Merrimack, 9/9/23
Long punt: 72 yards, at Cornell, 10/15/22
As a senior (2023): Once again handled Lehigh’s punting and holding duties… averaged 41.3 yards per punt to rank second in the Patriot League… placed 29 of his 62 punts inside the opponents’ 20 yard line… boomed season-long 58 yard punt at Monmouth (9/30)… placed all eight of his punts inside the opponents’ 20 at Monmouth… named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
As a junior (2022): Served as Lehigh’s punter and holder in all 11 games… averaged 39.6 yards on 51 punts… boomed 72-yard punt at Cornell (10/15)… placed 16 punts inside opponents’ 20 yard line.
As a sophomore (2021): Served as Lehigh’s holder for placements over final five games… also listed as No. 2 punter.
As a freshman (spring 2021): Debuted in second half of Lafayette game… kicked off twice, averaging 62.5 yards per kickoff… converted only extra point attempt…named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
In high school: First team All-League as a junior and senior… No. 1-ranked punter in California and No. 22 in the nation according to Kohl’s Kicking… averaged school-record 44.5 yards per punt as a senior… also played wide receiver… four-year letter winner in soccer… honor roll student.
Personal: Son of Charles Altekruse and Barbara Banks… has younger brother Jeremy… father rowed at Harvard… mother played rugby at Middlebury.
CAREER STATISTICS
Punting
| Year | GP | Punts | Avg. | Long | In20 |
| 2022 | 11 | 51 | 39.6 | 72 | 16 |
| 2023 | 11 | 62 | 413 | 58 | 29 |
| Total | 28 | 113 | 40.5 | 72 | 45 |
CAREER HIGHS
Punts: 9, at Merrimack, 9/9/23
Long punt: 72 yards, at Cornell, 10/15/22
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