Four years of winless football have not dampened Bakke's college experience

There are many ways to define victory, not all of them straightforward.

For most Princeton students, the achievements of the sprint football team over the past five years wouldn't fall under any definition of that particular v-word, but for senior quarterback Dennis Bakke, his involvement with the team has won him something more important than any single game ever could.

Bakke, a captain in his fourth year on the team, is a Wilson School major who plans on writing his thesis on the riveting topic of foreign policy of the U.S. and other powers in Central Asia. He attended St. Stephens & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Va., where he played four years of football for the Saints.

He joined the sprint football team his freshman year at Princeton, which was the first time he heard about the program.

"I've played football since I was seven. It's been one of the most important things I've done in my life for as long as I can remember," Bakke said. "When I found out about [sprint football], the opportunity to keep playing a sport I love was too good to pass up."

Sprint football is the ideal sport for many of the team members because, despite practice for three hours a day during the actual season, off-season practices do not infringe as much on time for studying and other activities as they do for other sports. This, as well as the fact that it allows those not physically endowed with the size to play other sports a shot at a varsity intercollegiate sport, makes sprint a great balance for many students.

In fact, Bakke says that he finds himself more motivated to get his schoolwork done after a long practice, despite the physical exhaustion. This conscientious student has still allowed the football season to affect his course load, though never his performance.

"I've taken 5 classes in the spring, but never in the fall," Bakke said. "And I try for the most part to avoid having classes that end at 4:20 in the fall so I can get to practice on time every day."

In addition to sprint football, he is also a member of Charter Club and volunteers to coach youth league basketball.

Regarding the fact that he will most likely be a part of the second consecutive senior class to graduate without winning a game, Bakke admits frustration and disappointment, but he is optimistic about the last two games of the season.

"Even if you don't win, being in games, competing hard in pressure situations — that's what I love about organized sports," Bakke said. "[And] we still have two more chances to get it done this year."

Following graduation, Bakke plans on taking some time off to travel at first, and will then worry about the inevitable task of finding a job.

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"Dennis has always been a great leader and really dedicated," sophomore linebacker Harry Wilmer said. "His commitment is an inspiration to all of us."

Bakke has developed into the Tigers' leading offensive player since earning the starting job at quarterback as a sophomore. This season, he has already accumulated 575 passing yards, averaging over 140 per game.

In addition to controlling the air, Bakke has established himself as a potent weapon on the ground for Princeton. He has gained 166 yards rushing on the season, making him the team's second-leading rusher behind fellow captain, senior running back Matt Worley, who has 266.

Bakke will be on the gridiron tonight at 7 p.m. as Princeton plays its last home game of the season against Navy. Earlier in the season, Navy beat the Tigers in Annapolis, 77-16. That game, however, was Princeton's first of the season and the team made myriad mental mistakes in the loss.

Last weekend the Tigers lost their closest game of the year to Cornell, 32-19.

Despite the negative feelings some may develop due to consistent expectations of losing, Bakke still enjoys the game that he embraced as a youth.

"I've been playing for so long," Bakke said. "I don't think I'll know what to do in the fall without football."