Nick Czar of Highland, Ill., signed with the U.S. Naval Academy on Wednesday. Look inside for a photo and quotes from Czar.
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Nick Czar committed to Navy Coach Mick Yokitis on August 12, 2014, over offers from Air Force, Army, Ball Sate, Western Michigan and Illinois State.
Czar, named first team All-State and All-Conference for both offensive and defensive line, took his official visit to Navy the weekend of January 23-25 and had this to say, “While I had no doubt whatsoever going into my visit that Navy was the right choice for me, the visit just confirmed it a thousand times over. With the campus tour, the group meals with the players, coaches and other recruits, and the evenings with my player host Paul Quessenberry attending a hockey game and wrestling meet, the visit was fun, professional and classy. At the end of the visit, I didn’t want to leave.”
A Highland High School Football Senior Captain, the 3-year 2-way starter Czar was also named first team St. Louis All-Metro for Defensive line; first team All-Area (Offensive line) and second team All-Area (Defensive line) for large schools (5A-8A), and a St. Louis Super 30 Recruit. The 4-year letterman finished the season with 42 tackles, 4 for loss, 5 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries. Czar was also named to the IHSFCA Academic All-State team for Illinois 5A.
Czar dedicated his senior season to the memory of his grandfather, Jerome Czar, an Army veteran, who rarely missed one of his grandson’s games since he began playing football at age five. After only a month-long battle with cancer, Jerome passed away last May at the age of 67.
Wrestling season is currently winding down for Czar, where he also serves as team captain. He capped off his 30-0 regular season record with a conference championship this past weekend. Czar currently ranks fourth in the State in Class 2A. The State Series begins this weekend with regionals.
Czar is a National Honor Society member with a 4.71 GPA. He is also a group leader of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). An accomplished bugler who sounds Taps for area military funerals (he played for his grandfather’s funeral per his request), he also plays trumpet at Mass and special occasions.
So what does Signing Day mean for Czar? “Joining the Navy Football Brotherhood is a great privilege that I feel very humbled and honored to have earned. I can’t wait to return to Navy this summer and become a part of the Brotherhood, and I look forward to joining all of my military brothers and sisters in serving our great nation.”
The son of Jay and Dineen Czar, Czar has a younger sister, Paloma. He will be entering USNA as a direct admit, having already received and accepted his offer of Appointment in December. Czar plans to pursue a degree in engineering.
