Crimson's tight end flourishes this year as a 'workhorse and star'

By John Veneziano

Sports Information Director

On one play, he throws the key block that springs a Crimson tailback for a big gain. Later in the drive, he picks up a blitzing linebacker and keeps him at bay, allowing the quarterback to rifle a completion downfield. On the very next down, he's the decoy on a pass route. And on the play after that, he hauls in a touchdown reception.

So goes the anything-but-routine life of a Harvard tight end, where strength, quickness, and acumen are essential elements for success. The Crimson's offense flaunts its tight ends, and for good reason. It has a number of outstanding players at the position. Senior Andy Laurence of Needham plays a part in this impressive collection that includes classmate (and roommate) Mike Kent, sophomore Chris Eitzmann, and junior Tom Giardi.

"Because of the two-tight-end schemes we use, I get to be on the field a great deal," says Laurence. "I've come to really enjoy the blocking responsibilities of the position. It's great to be opening holes for a back [senior Eion Hu] who has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of the past two years. Although I'm not making the numbers myself, there is great satisfaction in knowing that I've played a part in his accomplishments."

Laurence did put up some solid numbers of his own in 1995. He appeared in all 10 games while earning his first varsity letter, and totaled 14 receptions, including a touchdown catch against Holy Cross. He caught three passes in the Yale game, none more important than a 19-yarder that started the Crimson on its dramatic game-winning drive. He was also on the receiving end of three passes vs. Princeton, among them a season-long 21-yard grab. Meshing the roles of workhorse and star holds great appeal for the Mather House resident.

"Aside from the quarterback, the tight end needs to know the offense as well as anyone," says Laurence, who seems to study football every bit as hard as he does economics, his concentration at Harvard. "There are blocking schemes, pass patterns, and a number of formations to learn, forcing the tight end to understand the offense inside and out. The fact that it makes you understand the offense conceptually is great, because even if you mess up your exact assignment, you still know what the play is supposed to accomplish," he says, before adding with a smile, "I guess the first objective is to not mess up your assignment."

When it comes to his achievements, Laurence immediately points to the influences around him. "Last year, I learned so much about the tight end position from Adam Golla," he says of the 1996 Harvard graduate who formed a solid one-two punch with Mat Gargulinski '96. "He showed me how tight end isn't an isolated position, but is part of the entire offense. Because of my responsibilities, I get to understand what the coaches are thinking and why."

Head coach Tim Murphy has noticed the effort Laurence has applied to mastering his craft. "Andy Laurence has quietly become one of the most important people in our offense," says Murphy. "Sometimes you have a tight end who can block but must be replaced on passing downs. Andy, however, can do it all. He's a physical blocker and is athletic enough to get yards after he catches the ball," praises the coach.

Laurence is mature in his approach to life and football, a trait evident in his pre-game preparation.

"I'm tame before games, and I think that's part of the difference between high school and college football. I try to focus more on my assignments, and not going out there flying around on the field just because I'm fired up."

When choosing a college, Laurence carefully considered his options. "In the end, however, I knew Harvard was the right choice. There were a lot of reasons, but mostly because my Mom didn't want me going to a school more than 20 minutes away," he adds, smiling. His parents, William and Susan, have attended every game during his Harvard career, including one last month that required a seven-hour drive to Bucknell. "That's love," says Laurence. "But my Dad wouldn't have it any other way."

There's more than a hint of excitement in his voice as he discusses this year's Harvard squad.

"The program is on an upward trend, and it was great to see how hard all the guys were working during the off-season," says Laurence. "Now it's starting to pay dividends. Last year really wasn't indicative of the progress the coaches have made with this program. We're now taking the biggest step -- us believing in our potential -- and that is going to allow us to again become a winning program." Opponents have discovered that when Andy Laurence steps on the field, they can't be certain what he's going to do. Oh, maybe there's one thing they know -- his presence will only help Harvard football. This story is adapted from one that was printed in the Oct. 12, 1996, issue of The Harvard Football News.