Crimson Linebackers

Andy Nolan isn't your typical Harvard premed. He's taken organic chemistry and he's applying to medical schools, but he also hopes to play professional football. Though he says he "doesn't have much of a chance," he would like to play in one of the less established leagues such as the United States Football League (USFL).

Nolan spent one summer working in a hospital, making rounds with several doctors. He frequently observed operations, and remembers one in particular. "I was watching orthopedic surgery, and they were working on someone's knee. All I remember thinking was that I didn't want that to ever happen to me."

Public Safety

It wasn't Nolan's knee that kept him out of about half of the games this season, but a calcified bruise in his thigh. For a senior who with Captain Joe Azelby made up what was considered the best linebacker duo in the Ivy League, his injury during the first scrimmage was. Linebacker Coach George A Clemens says, "a tough pill to swallow." In the first game against Columbia, he had to move to the sideline after the first two plays.

When describing Nolan, the first word that comes to both coaches and players' minds is "tough." This toughness enabled Nolan to come back to "spot play" in the Brown game, and to play full time in the Holy Cross game two weeks ago, says Clemens.

According to Clemens, Nolan was supposed to be out the entire season, but with "grim determination. Andy made it back," adds Clemens.

Nolan's injury came after two strong years on the varsity team. As a sophomore Nolan played in all 10 games.

The Miami Beach, Fla. native was the captain of his high school football team, both junior and senior years.

Nolan was recruited by many schools, and signed a scholarship with the University of Michigan before changing his mind and coming to Harvard.

At Harvard

"It was a choice between football and academics," Nolan recalls. Nolan says he thought that football at Harvard "wouldn't be difficult and competitive, but I was wrong."

He describes his football experience as enjoyable, thanks to good and supportive coaches.

Teammates cite Nolan's strength and speed as especially noteworthy. "He is a leader both on and off the field," says Azelby. "Andy is the strongest kid on the team."

Clemens says of Nolan's strength, "Andy Nolan is as strong as an ox. He has speed and quickness, and also an innate football sense."

Teammate Mike Hart, a sophomore, calls Nolan "a perfect form tackler. He is great fundamentally."

Nolan's great speed is an effort to keep warm in the New England cold, says teammate Azelby. "He hates the cold. It bums him out. He's got Miami Beach in his blood."