Andy Kolstad

By Kara Walser
UWRF Sports Information

The stereotypical jock is seen as an unintelligent, dull guy who likes to play sports with his buddies. However, Andy Kolstad doesn't fit that mold.  

Kolstad, a senior on the Falcon football team, was named three consecutive years to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. He was also on the UW-RF Dean's List for both semesters in 2005.

Falcon Coach John O'Grady says, "Andy is an excellent student that we don't have to worry about. He is a true scholar-athlete and sets a great example for the younger guys."

Kolstad was honored as the valedictorian of his senior class at Green Bay East High School with a 4.0 grade point average.

Kolstad is majoring in secondary education mathematics. After graduation, he plans on traveling for a bit before he moves back in his home area of Green Bay to find a high school teaching and coaching job.

In the classroom or on the field, Kolstad is dedicated and passionate about his work. In his senior year, Kolstad is playing on the defensive side of the ball.  

As a freshman, Kolstad led the team as quarterback for six games before an injury ended his season. He had a career high with a pass efficiency rating of 159.92.

In his sophomore year, he carried the ball for a career high 68 times for 114 yards. He completed 13-26 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns which were all team and career highs. Unfortunately, his season ended prematurely because of an injury.

As a junior, Kolstad played in seven games and started in three times. As part of the offense, he had 26 rushing attempts for 82 yards and caught two passes for 38 yards.

With Kolstad switching positions on the field and starting at such an impressive spot his freshman year, O'Grady states that this doesn't happen too often in football and really says something about the player.

This season, Kolstad hopes to "start a new era of football at River Falls" with his teammates. His personal goal is to be remembered for a long time at River Falls. "I want to go out the best way I can," Kolstad says.

The 5-11, 180 pounder leads the Falcons in tackles after five games with 18 solo and 47 total tackles. He has one and one-half tackles for loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Kolstad has the ability to focus and concentrate on the game. "His attention to detail is where it should be as a senior," says O'Grady.

The relationship between Kolstad and his teammates is very good. O'Grady says that the team has a great bunch of guys and Kolstad fits in well.  

"We're all very close," says Kolstad," My closest friends play on the team with me. There's something about the game of football that brings guys together."

Kolstad's greatest football achievement in his opinion was during his senior year of high school where he earned all-state honors on both offense and defense.

An interesting fact to know is that he sang the national anthem at his high school's homecoming game as a senior.

Since he started playing in seventh grade, Kolstad thinks that the difference between high school and college football is amount of physical demand and the amount of knowledge needed to play. He explains that college football is faster and more physical.  

Kolstad came out of high school weighing 165 pounds and from physically working his body in the weight room and on the field, he now weighs in at 210 pounds and feels stronger than ever before.

"Collegiate football also requires the player to learn more about the game rather than simply fundamentals," he says.