As football closes its season, captain Higgins concludes his career

When the lights go out at Princeton Stadium tomorrow following the game against Dartmouth, the 132nd season of Tiger football will come to a close, and with it the careers of Princeton's seniors. Foremost among these players is captain and middle linebacker Mike Higgins, whose football career has spanned two head coaches while at Princeton, two state championships in high school and four presidential elections overall.

"This is my 16th year of football," Higgins says. "First grade was my first year of organized — I was number 22 and I played cornerback. [Right from the start], I loved it. I loved going to practice. I'd play in a game, then I'd come home and play with no equipment on my front lawn for four hours. That's how I got hooked."

The same excitement that Higgins felt back in the mid-1980's is still evident on the field today. His tenacity and hustle combined with natural talent make him a force on the field.

"Mike Higgins brings an exciting presence," defensive coordinator Steve Verbit says. "Each time Mike walks onto the field his motor is running at a hundred miles an hour. In terms of his movement, his ability to recognize where the play is going and his ability to make the play, he brings a lot to our defense. He's done a tremendous job since he's been here."

In a season that has seen its ups and downs, Higgins has been a source of constancy for the Tiger defense. He shows an uncanny knack for finding the ball carrier, be it a run off-tackle, or a pass to the outside. This innate skill has vaulted Higgins to third in the Ivy League in tackles per game, with 9.4.

"On the field, in terms of his work ethic and his ability to find the football, he gives us that physical presence that we need," Verbit says. "He's as solid of a linebacker as we've had over the past couple years."

Higgins' impact on the Tigers goes beyond stuffing the run. As captain, Higgins has smoothed the transition from former coach Tosches to first-year head coach Roger Hughes. In so doing, he has served as a liaison between the coaching staff and the players since Hughes' signing in January.

"He's a tremendous leader," Hughes says of his team's captain. "I think he agrees with what we want to get done, and he's also a great sounding board. I'll call Mike in and ask him something even before I ask the coaches."

Following those first formative years at cornerback, Higgins moved to the nose tackle because he exceeded the weight limits to play in either the offensive or defensive backfields. This would mark the last time in his career that he would be held back because of excess size. Still, Higgins remained at nose tackle through middle school but always had his eye on the position behind him.

"By eighth grade I was like, 'I've had enough of this, move me back. That's the spot that you want to play.' Linebacker is the spot to play, those are playmakers. So freshman year in high school [when asked what I wanted to play], I said I'm a linebacker, and that was it."

During his freshman year at Bergen Catholic High School, Higgins played both center and linebacker for the freshman team — the lowest of the four squads at the New Jersey powerhouse. That year, the varsity team went on to win the state championship game played at Giants Stadium, as it would in Higgins' sophomore and senior years as well.

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The following year, Higgins played on both sides of the ball for the sophomore, JV and varsity squads. By his junior year, he solidified his starting spot at center, and played both positions during his championship senior season.

While playing linebacker and center was not easy, it gave Higgins a better understanding of the strategy and technique involved in football, something that has helped immeasurably during his collegiate career — where he has played linebacker exclusively.

"[I have] a better understanding of what offenses are trying to do, just from being on both sides of the ball. That was definitely a rewarding experience for me," Higgins says.

Indeed, his entire career has been a rewarding experience for the Tiger captain. From his first time putting on a helmet in first grade to his final contest for Princeton, Higgins has enjoyed the game of football.

"Looking back on it, overall it was a great experience. I think it molded me as a person, I made great friends — I'll never do anything like this again in my life. I'm sure this is probably the most rewarding thing I've ever done. The things I've learned, the people I've met, lessons I've learned. Overall, it's been amazing, and I've had a lot fun doing it all."