News from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

Rumson – Charlie Volker, a football and track standout and record-setter at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, has made a verbal commitment to join the football program at Princeton University.

Charlie, a senior and tailback on the RFH varsity football team, received multiple offers from Ivy and Patriot League programs but had his heart set on playing for the Princeton Tigers. He announced his intention on August 15, 2014.

“My parents used to take me up to hockey games at Princeton when I was young, and when I got older and started my college search I realized the prestigious school had everything I was looking for – good academics, good football, good food,” said Charlie. “I grew up loving the Princeton Tigers, and I’m excited to spend the next four years at a physically and academically challenging university.”

During last year’s football season, his first as a starting tailback, Charlie rushed for a school-record 2,108 yards and completed 24 touchdowns. He led the Shore Conference in rushing and ended the season with a ranking of second in the state.

He was instrumental in helping the Bulldogs attain their second State Sectional title in four seasons, rushing for 93 yards and scoring a touchdown in a Group II game against previously undefeated Weequahic High School. In the ensuing semi-final game against Rahway High School, he set a new RFH record for single-game rushing by covering 314 yards. Near the end of the nail-biter, he ran 80 yards to complete a game-winning touchdown with just six seconds left on the clock.

During his junior year last season, Charlie was named by the Asbury Park Press as Offensive Player of the Year. He was also honored by the Press as 1st Team All-Shore Offense and All-Division Team – Class A Central, and was one of two All-Division Team – Class A Central Players-of-the-Year.

Also during last season, The Star-Ledger named Charlie to 2nd Team All-State Offense and 1st Team All-Shore Offense. He was also selected as The Star-Ledger Monmouth County Player-of-the-Year and was one of the 2013 Fall All-Ledger Top Performers: Football for rushing in the victory over Rahway High School.

He has been named a Team Captain for the upcoming 2014 football season at RFH.

In addition to beginning his Varsity football career during his sophomore year at RFH, Charlie is a four-year varsity letter winner in the school’s track and field program. He was the 2014 Shore Conference Champion in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races, and a 2014 Group II Central State Champion in those events as well. He was a top-ten finisher at the Meet of Champions in the 200-meter race and finished in eleventh place in the 100-meter event. He also participated in long jump and javelin for RFH.

Charlie was chosen to receive the prestigious Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award presented on April 26, 2014 at The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. His academic achievements include attaining High Honor Roll as well as membership in the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society at RFH. He is also President of the school’s Film Club.

Charlie is a Summer Camp Counselor for as well as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and his volunteer activities include the preparation of holiday meals at St. Luke’s Church in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Pending the completion of his application and his formal acceptance into Princeton University, Charlie will join RFH graduate Thomas Martello who is currently a freshman linebacker for the Tigers.

“Charlie is an outstanding football player, student, and leader – and more importantly, he is an even better person,” said RFH Varsity Head Football Coach Bryan Batchler. “We could not be more proud of Charlie for his decision to commit to the admissions process at Princeton University.”

Charlie is the son of Lynn and Chuck Volker of Fair Haven.