MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—Playing college football is a lifelong dream for many high school football players in West Virginia. Morgantown High quarterback Ethan Goldcamp is among the lucky few who will get to continue his football career at the next level, but that is just the icing on the cake.
Goldcamp is realizing a lifelong dream, but that has nothing to do with football.
Goldcamp recently signed his Letter of Intent to play college football for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
“I’ve always wanted to attend a U.S. service academy. I was excited they were going to give me the opportunity to play football and lacrosse,” said Goldcamp. “Not only am I going to get a good career serving my country afterwards, but I also get that opportunity.”
The Coast Guard was not always Goldcamp’s first choice. He wanted to attend West Point, but as he learned more about the Coast Guard Academy, he became more infatuated with its unique mission as compared to the other branches of service.
“After my visits, I liked the mission better. I like the idea of saving lives,” explained Goldcamp.
While the missions of the Army, Navy and Air Force are much more aggressive toward threats to the country, the Coast Guard is most noted for being the oldest life-saving service in the world, while also being called upon for protection of natural resources, maritime mobility and national defense.
“Part of me wants to go to flight school, part of me wants to go to sea after graduation,” he said. “But primarily, the mission of protecting the United States is really exciting to me.”
“Ethan is a different kid in so many great ways. He’s that kid. He’s the senior class president, starting quarterback, polite as can be. He always had an interest in service,” said Morgantown football coach John Bowers. “He grew up an Army fan. Who grows up a long suffering Army fan?”
Goldcamp got a preview of what the next four years will be like this past summer when he attended the Academy Introduction Mission, a week long course where perspective students go through the Coast Guard’s basic training. When he returned to begin preseason practice for his senior season, Bowers noticed a significant change in his starting quarterback.
“It was amazing the leadership he came back with, work habits, his attention. He’s going to go up there and do some great things,” praised Bowers.
For Goldcamp, he came away from the camp with a different perspective on how to approach the game.
“The biggest thing was just putting the team before yourself. Realizing your not above everybody else and you really need to give your all and not for yourself, not personal glory but for the team,” Goldcamp said.
Goldcamp understands continuing your athletic career beyond high school is a privilege, but for him football is an added bonus to what he see as the real privilege, serving his country.
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