Babinecz returns from year off to lead defense as co-captain

In the last 132 seasons of Princeton football, only 16 teams have had multiple captains. Next season will be number 17, with captains Chisom Opara, a senior wide receiver, and senior linebacker Drew Babinecz. Babinecz, after taking a year off from Princeton, has risen to the highest rank for a Princeton football player.

"I was mostly surprised," Babinecz said. "I have only played with half the kids for one season because I took a year off. I am honored to be in the same spot as older teammates that I had looked up to."

During Babinecz's sophomore year, the Tigers had an unprecedented three captains. He feels that having multiple captains "chages the dynamic" of leadership on the football team.

"It's really good that we have one for offense and one for defense," Babinecz said. "This way someone can always take charge on both sides of the ball."

As an undersized linebacker, Babinecz was moved to nickel back his freshman year, where he was a two-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week. He was relocated back to middle linebacker (known as Mike) his sophomore season and struggled.

"At nickel, you have lots of opportunities to make plays – tackles, sacks, pass defense," Babinecz said. "I wasn't big enough or strong enough for Mike, and the lack of size caught up to me."

After a knee injury during the spring of his sophomore year, Babinecz decided it would be best to take some time away from school and football.

"[Taking a year off] was the best decision of my life," Babinecz said. "I got to experience other things. I gained perspective on the opportunity I have here, and it made me appreciate it more."

Babinecz traveled from his hometown of Malvern, PA to California to intern at a law firm and take a class at UC Berkeley and then to Brazil to work in the rain forest where he lost 20 pounds from his already slight-for-a-linebacker frame.

"Berkeley was a great place," Babinecz said. "I felt more comfortable there; they are very open-minded. Here sometimes I am afraid to open my mouth. I may want to move back there some day. Taking an urban planning class there helped me decide what I want to do."

Babinecz worked at one of the largest international law firms in San Francisco during his time away from the Northeast.

"Latham & Watkins was tough. They asked a lot, and I got a hands-on view of being a lawyer," Babinecz said. "It made me realize how nice the student life is. It gave me good money and financial freedom from my parents. I learned a lot about life."

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Back in football for the 2001 season, Babinecz was smaller and had not been in pads or a helmet for more than a full year.

"I felt rusty coming back," Babinecz said. "I still worked out [when I was gone], but I didn't think about football much. That also made me more motivated for preseason camp."

Another season at middle linebacker proved to be just as tough for the soft-spoken and undersized player. Quiet by nature, Babinecz led by example, pushing himself to his limit on the field and in the weight room. From this situation sprang the shocking news that he had been named captain for the 2002 team.

"I was surprised to be elected," Babinecz said. "It's not from the stuff I say. I give a lot to football. It's the biggest thing in my life here, and a big reason why I came back here. Maybe the kids saw that. I guess people just subconsciously notice how hard the older guys are working."

Linebackers coach Donald Dobes described Babinecz as an "outstanding leader. The trials and tribulations he has had over the last four and five years have developed his maturity. These experiences and events have transformed his life and given him a perspective of maturity and common sense."

This spring, Babinecz was moved to the weak-side linebacker (know as Will) which he says allows him to utilize his "speed because [he] is free to run around and make plays as opposed to taking on blocks."

"He combines sprinter-like speed, experience, explosiveness, and the ability to track down the ball carrier," Dobes said.

A football player above all, but a student-athlete with life experience, Drew Babinecz not only enriches the football team with his skill, but also the University community with his personal experiences.