(The Calvin Sports Information Office recently caught up with freshman defensive lineman KJ Harp of the Calvin University football team. Harp hails from nearby Kentwood, Michigan. He is a graduate of East Kentwood High School. He explains his decision to further his academic and athletics career at Calvin University in this D3Week feature story).
Why did you choose to further your academic and athletic career here at Calvin?
Originally, when I was doing my college search, Calvin wasn't really on my radar. I'm from Grand Rapids so I knew about it but I really wanted to play football in college, so I was looking elsewhere. However, when Calvin announced football, my high school strength coach got Coach (Trent) Figg to come and talk to us. The more he talked the more I realized that Calvin might be the place for me. I went on my official visit a little bit later and fell in love immediately. I love the people, the community, the coaches, and the professors. Everyone is so supportive here on campus that I was comfortable right away and I'm so glad I came to Calvin.
How did you start playing football?
I started playing football in fourth grade. I've definitely been around the game for a while. I grew up in Kentwood and that's where the love for the sport was instilled in me. Over the years I've played a lot of different positions: offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, full back, tight end, I've played it all.
What other sports did you play growing up?
I was a three-sport athlete in high school with football, wrestling, and track. I was in the heavyweight class in wrestling and in track I was a thrower.
How would you describe going through this fall where you not only go through a whole season without any games but where everything is also so brand new?
I think that it was a very helpful and developmental time for our team. I mean, we had maybe ten guys who were already at Calvin but other than that we were bringing in all freshmen. It was an eye-opening experience. We were having coaches from all over the country come in and lead a very young group so this was a good time period where we could figure things out and get the hang of things. Even though there were no games this fall, the coaches made everything fun and competitive and it was a great learning experience.
Coach Figg likes to say that you guys are now "on the clock" as you begin to prepare for your first real season. How are you feeling about being able to play real games next year?
In the fall Coach Figg would always say that we're not like everyone else. We were practicing every day but we weren't preparing to go play games but now we're right there with everyone else. Other teams in our league started spring ball this week as well so now the countdown is on to September 7 versus Oberlin and we know we'll be ready.
How would you describe Coach Figg and your position Coach Verley?
Coach (Christian) Verley is an amazing coach and is one of the top coaches I've had in my life. His football knowledge is so extensive and he passes it down so that you can be the best player you can be. Coach Figg is the light in the room wherever he goes and if we are down, he is the first person to lift us up. He brings such a wholesome energy that spreads throughout our team and is a great hand to have guiding the ship. I consider myself lucky to be able to work with all the great people we have in our program.
How would you describe your defensive line teammates?
We're small but mighty. There may not be a lot of us, but we have a lot of heart. We're really close and are constantly hanging out inside and outside of practice and I wouldn't even say that's just a D-line thing because I think it's a whole team thing. Since we're all really young we all get along really well and we like to do the same things like play basketball and go swimming.
What is your major and what is your favorite class you've taken so far?
I came in undecided but kind of focused more on the business side of things. However, over winter break I switched gears and decided on accounting as my major. I know that we have the fifth-year program here for accounting and since we got a red-shirt year in football for last fall my plan is to use that fifth year to keep playing while completing my degree. I took Data 102 and Data 103 which introduced me to Excel and taught me all about spreadsheets and charts which I think will be very useful in accounting.
You guys had an intersquad scrimmage last year and there was a great turn out from the public. After having that experience, how excited are you to be able to compete in real games this fall?
I wake up thinking about that game every day. I know that this whole community from the students to everyone that works here comes together to form such a great support system so I can't wait to see what the turnout is going to be for that first game in the fall. I hope that it's sold out and I hope that everyone knows how much we appreciate their support.
