Jack Becker ’18 talks about his Green Knights career, why he would rather throw a touchdown pass than run for a score, and what brings a standout prep athlete to St. Norbert from Massachusetts.

Green Knight Returns for Fourth Quarter

Quarterback Jack Becker ’18 displayed his scrambling ability off the field before he arrived at St. Norbert College in 2014. 

Following a standout prep career at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Mass., Becker (a native of Hingham, Mass.) planned to play college football on the East Coast. But when financial-aid issues complicated his college search, he contacted a new member of the Green Knights coaching team who had recruited him when he was coaching at Colby College in Maine.

“I knew absolutely nothing about St. Norbert,” says Becker. “I was excited about the opportunity to play football. I looked up the college online and was blown away by the campus.”

Becker committed to St. Norbert and in June 2014 made his first visit to De Pere. During his first season for the Green Knights, Becker saw action in three games. He won the starting job as a sophomore and helped lead St. Norbert to a 10-1 record that included a Midwest Conference Championship and a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Becker threw for more than 1,600 yards and rushed for nearly 600 yards during the 2015 season. 

But he took a step back in 2016, his junior season.

“I started the first game and it didn’t go my way,” he explains. “I didn’t have the best game. The coaches decided to go with the other quarterback. He was a bigger guy, a better runner. It’s the team aspect. 

“Coaches put the right guys in who they think will give the team the best chance to win. It was tough. Being a competitor, you want to be on the field. Quarterback is not like other positions. Only one guy can play. I think as a person I grew a lot that year.”

Becker returned to lead the St. Norbert offense this season and serves as one of the Green Knights’ captains along with Elijah Fort ’18, Ben Kornowski ’18 and Stuart Kwaterski ’18.

“Senior Speeches” are a St. Norbert football tradition. All seniors on the roster are given the opportunity to address the team. During fall camp, Becker took his turn by reading a letter he wrote from his current self to his 18-year-old self. 

“He wrote in his letter about how he was selfish and not a very good teammate,” says St. Norbert head coach Dan McCarty. “Seeing him open up and talk about his failures while addressing the entire team was one of my proudest moments as a coach.  

“It’s good to have him back. It’s rewarding to see the growth in him as a person. We are not only here to help our players grow as football players, but also as young men.”

“I just go out there and try to win football games,” says Becker. “There are 11 guys on the field. I just need to do my job and trust in the other 10 guys to do their jobs.”

Third-year head coach McCarty says that his quarterback displays “game moxie” in his playmaking abilities.“He has a real good feel in the pocket and when to leave the pocket and take off,” says McCarty.

“I take pride in going out there and executing what the coaches want us to do,” says Becker. “If I drop back, go through my first, second read, or if the protection breaks down, it’s making that first guy miss and getting out of the pocket; playing football and making a play.”

Becker would rather throw a touchdown pass than run for a score.

“I like celebrating with the other guys,” he says. “We call it a party in the end zone.” 

Nov. 7, 2017