Alex Huber switched over from basketball to football. (Photo Courtesy: Frank Poulin)
Imagine switching from a fast-paced sport like basketball to a more violent sport in football at the collegiate level. That is what Alex Huber did, switching from Basketball to Football. “I wanted to play since I was in high school or even younger, and then when I got to college, I thought it was too late,” Huber explained.
Huber was always interested in playing football because he thought it would be fun, from watching his favorite team, the Chicago Bears, and his favorite player Devin Hester play growing up.
Huber could not play when he was younger because his mother would not allow him to. She was concerned about concussions and head injuries due to her experience working in pediatrics and witnessing what happened to kids that suffered head injuries from playing football. “I think my mom allows me to play football now since I am older and can make my own decisions. Plus, if it was going to make me happy, she wanted to see me be happy,” Huber mentioned.
“I finally agreed his senior year in high school, and it was conveniently “too late” in his words. The only reason I could not agree to it was that we (in the hospital) would have one near-life-ending trauma event due to a high school football injury every one to two years. Only due to the vigilance of the parents these kids did not die before they got to the hospital,” Huber’s mother, Kimbal Griffith, explained. “I don’t have the same fear anymore because he is bigger, stronger, and older. Plus, his position tackles instead of getting tackled so that seems a little better, although the risk is always there. Sometimes I even think basketball is even worse because you are flopping on the wood over concrete,” she continued.
Before playing football, Huber played basketball since he was five years old up through his time at Dean. Huber fell in love with Basketball since his friends were playing, and he enjoyed watching great players, notably Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. These players helped inspire Huber growing up and helped him develop an interest in the sport as well.
Huber came across the possibility of playing football at Dean when the basketball strength and conditioning coach, Bob Donahue, the strength and conditioning coach for the football team approached Alex and told him that the football team was looking for more players for their spring practices.
“When the opportunity came up, I thought well, maybe it will help me stay in shape and give me a new challenge. Plus, it could also help me stay ready for basketball,” Huber mentioned. When he met with football head coach, Andrae Murphy, Huber was open to playing any position Murphy told him they were short on defensive backs and Huber signed off to play defensive back.
“I wasn’t sure how my skills would translate over to football. I thought that athletic-wise I would be ok because basketball is an athletic sport that you have to keep up with including things like footwork and fundamentals including tackling. I was nervous, but Coach Murphy has done a good job of helping me out and making me more comfortable by doing footwork drills and gave me a trainer back home to work with during the summer,” Huber explained.
When speaking to Coach Murphy he had nothing but great things to say about Huber including how he is extremely athletic and playing like a polished veteran.
“It’s very nice to hear a coach say that because I worked hard over the summer to try to help this team by being as good as I can be, and it was hard switching over,” Huber said.
“I tried to get bigger by gaining weight because I was small to be playing football, coming over from basketball. I also worked on my footwork, foot speed which could help with the position I play to stay in front of the quicker receivers,” Huber continued.
Huber will continue playing Basketball for Dean as well but will not be able to participate in Basketball activities until January. Huber will have to take a two-week rest period after football to make sure he is healthy and then will be allowed to attend practices but will not actively participate in them until January.
Dean Basketball Head Coach, Joe Cabral was on board with the plan due to his trust in the football coaching staff to take care of Huber.
“I never thought it would happen, but it is crazy to think that I will be playing both,” Huber explained.
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