“Hard working, loyal, and funny,” are the words that Andrew Kolkman gave when asked to describe himself.
About Andrew
Kolkman described himself using the adjectives above for many different reasons. His parents always challenged him especially in sports, so he was always hard working at being the best he could in all his activities. He also prioritizes being loyal because he understands the importance of having and being a good friend. Kolkman said that he does not like losing people, so he would rather be known as loyal than miss out on a true friendship. Lastly, Kolkman said you can ask any of friends and he bets that they would all say they have a memory of him making them laugh.
Andrew on Olivet
Kolkman is now a student at Olivet Nazarene University. He came here through the Nazarene Youth Conference where he was awarded a full ride scholarship. Initially he was not looking at Olivet as his main choice for college.
“I knew it was an option, but I didn’t really want to go with my dad’s school because I kind of wanted to branch out,” Kolkman said.
He further explained that it was not until the Nazarene Youth Conference in 2023 that he decided on Olivet. At the conference, Olivet gave all seniors who attended a full ride scholarship. Kolkman talked about wanting to go to Northern Illinois University, University of Alabama, or University of Louisville, but he would have to pay out of pocket. So, with a full ride, the choice was simple.
The relative area of Olivet also helped as well because it allows for him to be close to home. The ability to see his parents is important in Kolkman’s eyes.
The Kolkman family has a close relationship with Olivet. In the following audio clip, Kolkman explains his family’s connection to Olivet:
Kolkman’s favorite memory of being at Olivet was Rock and Glow this year. He could not go to it last year because of ROTC. This year though, he was able to go, and he said, “just being able to dance around and have fun with my friend group, that was really nice.”
Andrew and Football
The Kolkman family rule growing up was always to be in a sport. His parents always wanted Kolkman to feel challenged. So, he went through many different sports such as baseball, track, cross country, rugby and especially football.
Though Kolkman started out his high school career running cross country, he was not settled with that decision. So, in the spring semester of his freshman year, he joined his high school football team. He started training in his summer going into his sophomore year and played safety all the way into his senior year. Though he was always second or third string, he still enjoyed it.
During Kolkman’s junior and senior years of high school, he also took up rugby. He explained that “[rugby] is kind of where I found, I don’t want to say my calling, but more of a sport that I was good at.”
After traveling to Louisville for a clinic with his team, he received a direct message from a coach down there saying that they liked his skills and were interested in him playing for their team.
While Louisville was his first choice of school because of that conversation, ultimately the NYC scholarship persuaded him to come to Olivet.
Kolkman spoke with Head Coach, Mitchell, and his staff about playing football for Olivet. They allowed him to tryout as a walk-on and now he has a management position on the team. Kwesi Aniagyei, one of Kolkman’s current teammates, said that the role Kolkman has on the “is definitely a team first kind of person who strives to embody the tiger way.”
Kolkman’s work ethic and love of sports really shines through his football career. Whether in high school or college, he has really shown just home hardworking he truly is.
In the Spring, Kolkman is looking to tryout again for the Olivet team.
Andrew and the Civil Air Patrol
Outside of football, Kolkman is also involved with the Civil Air Patrol. In Kolkman’s words, Civil Air Patrol is, “Boy Scouts with search and rescue.”
The Civil Air Patrol is a federally chartered auxiliary of the Air Force. Kolkman is mostly involved in the cadet program. Kolkman said that is basically, “Air Force ROTC, but it’s a lot more focused on, Aerospace Education and Leadership Development.”
Kolkman has been involved with the Civil Air Patrol since 2020. He became involved with it while during the COVID-19 shut down.
“I’m just clicking around on the internet, and I come across on the Civil Air Patrol,” Kolkman said.
After some further investigation, Kolkman became interested because of the ability to wear the uniform and fly around in C-130 Hercules planes.
Kolkman’s main involvement in the Civil Air Patrol is in the cadet program. After going through basic training, he began to work encampments. His roles has been deputy for support and deputy of ops. This summer will be his third time working an encampment where he will be “planning and hiring and interviews and putting out fires, for lack of a better term during that week,” Kolkman said.
