The Pedigree of a Student-Athlete By Matthew Meier-former sports editor for Westchester Chronicle, NCAA Scholarship Recipient, Former Peer Recruiter. Talent, character, academics, and leadership are the pedigree of a quality student-athlete. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, likewise, an athlete must possess strength in each of these areas to avoid failure. This is the pedigree any coach will find in evaluating Andrew Meier. Meier is currently a senior at Bridgeway Academy maintaining a 4.0 average. He has backed up his high GPA with a strong first showing at his SAT, scoring a 1220 math/verbal composite. Meier has been able to maintain these grades while playing baseball, basketball, and football throughout high school. His Academic accolades include the National Honor Society, as well as the Scholar-Athlete award given for outstanding academics among athletes. In addition to Meier's academic achievements, his actions speak for his character and leadership. When meeting him, most will find an imposing figure that is humble and slow to speak off of the field. Being raised as one of six siblings, he has learned the importance of strong family values and the responsibility that comes with helping take responsibility for one's younger siblings. In addition, he has spent countless hours volunteering in youth and children's groups at his local church. He also shows character in the game of football, striving to improve every day. To the surprise of many, Meier is a latecomer to the game of football. Attending a private online academy for advanced students in NY meant playing football was not an option. New York state offered no provision for a student attending a school with no football program to play for their local school, because of this state rule he was forced to forgo playing football. He never gave up his dedication to the game. His Father, Bucky Meier, has been a multi-sport coach in the city of Yonkers, NY and most recently worked as the line coach for the NY State Section 1 Class A champion Roosevelt High School Football Team. Andrew Meier would spend countless hours reviewing film, analyzing opponents, and learning from his Father's experience with offensive and defensive line.
He has also demonstrated his athleticism through playing baseball and basketball for a local team, eventually winning multiple MVP awards in basketball for his league championship game and the season.
In his Junior Year, Meier discovered that there was a team in Tulsa, Oklahoma, NOAH Jaguars (one of the highest ranked private homeschool teams in the Nation) near where his sister lived that allowed him to play. He arrived in Tulsa midway through the season, and quickly accelerated himself into the lineup.
Following his Junior year, he was introduced to the other top contending private homeschool team in the nation, the Maryland Christian Saints, closer situated to his hometown. He attended several NFL sponsored high school training camps and an Under Armour combine to develop the skills and talent he needed to be an asset to his new team. He increased his speed, agility, strength, and his technique. He began the season as the starting OG and DT. Andrew still spends extra hours every week breaking down the game film again with his father in addition to his team sessions. Andrew is a player already demonstrating collegiate talent, size, technique, character, and academics. Despite already proving his qualifications by going head to head and finding tremendous success against several Division I committed athletes this year (as demonstrated in his highlight film), there is still near limitless potential to be brought out of this athlete who in reality is only partially through his first full season of football. As an aside from the objective voice of this featurette, as a former scholarship athlete in the sport of swimming and honors college student who held a 3.85 honors GPA, I know the character and talent required of an NCAA scholarship athlete. I have interviewed countless athletes in my time as a sports writer and editor, as well as held the responsibility of acting as my team's liaison to potential recruits. As his brother, I can speak for his family values, and outstanding character. He is selfless on the field and off, and one who leads by example and with sincerity. The fact that I took the time out of my sleepless and hectic pre-med schedule to build this site, put together his highlight film, and write this article should be a testament to the validity of my assessment, and to the quality athlete Andrew is. Had I not been the creator of this website, Andrew would never have allowed me to utter a word praising his qualities. In fact, I often tell him after watching film with him, "Why don't you point out your tackles and blocks during film?" His 6'3" 270 lbs frame says with calm intensity, "I prefer to let my actions do the talking."
Photo Gallery
Andrew Meier Football Recruiting | Defensive Line Offensive Line
Parent's email: rlmeier1@gmail.com
Talent, character, academics, and leadership are the pedigree of a quality student-athlete. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, likewise, an athlete must possess strength in each of these areas to avoid failure. This is the pedigree any coach will find in evaluating Andrew Meier.