Balancing football and military obligations was initially challenging for Rochelle Township High School graduate and former All-Conference honoree Noah Knight. Since beginning his freshman year, however, Knight has formed a second family with his Norwich University teammates, and he’ll be seeking to play a larger role on the football team next season.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Balancing football and military obligations was initially challenging for Rochelle Township High School graduate and former All-Conference honoree Noah Knight. Since beginning his freshman year, however, Knight has formed a second family with his Norwich University teammates, and he’ll be seeking to play a larger role on the football team next season.
Like many freshmen in the Norwich University program, Knight played on the junior varsity team and served a scout team role this year, learning the system as a strong safety. The former Hub student-athlete said he plans to switch positions next season, moving to outside linebacker where he’ll earn more time in the starting defensive rotation and on special teams.
“It was a big adjustment not only playing college football, but also playing for a military school and balancing my military obligations,” Knight said. “But the brotherhood here is like no other. We are all going through the same hard training and we all count on each other to get through everything. We are a family out here.”
The JV team played four games this season, while the varsity team played a full 10-game schedule, finishing 5-5 overall. Knight said he’s put on at least 20 pounds of good weight since arriving on campus in Northfield, Vermont, but he said he wants to continue getting stronger in the weight room. He also said he wants to study more film as he transitions to his new position.
“I think I improved in learning how to play the game and how I study film and our playbook,” Knight said. “I want to continue getting better in the weight room, and I need to understand and study outside linebacker more to make myself that much better.”
Knight said his biggest challenges were not on the football field, but fulfilling his military obligations, some of which included early mornings and late nights. While it hasn’t been easy, he said the bonds he’s formed with his teammates have made the experience much better. Knight still aims to earn a career in the Marine Corps, FBI or Secret Service.
“The biggest adjustment for me wasn’t playing football,” Knight said. “The biggest challenges have been the Corps of Cadets training program and the Naval ROTC program, which include 5 a.m. wake-ups and not getting to bed until I’m done catching up on homework at 1 a.m. This lifestyle isn’t easy, but the family I have here makes it all worth it.”
