Senior football captain Teddy Hirbour has scored a commitment to Union College, where he will play Division III football for the Garnet Chargers. Having played both basketball and football as a power and as a small forward and wide receiver respectively, Hirbour displayed athletic development that comes not only from playing these sports, but by being shaped by his family, teammates, and community. Basketball in particular has also brought him to a tightly knit social circle that he has grown from, however football felt closer to home due to his familial connection to the sport.

According to Hirbour, a sense of community also played a big part into his college decision. When choosing to commit to Union, he prioritized more than just the athletic department, but also the academic side of the college as well.

“I committed to Union College for the great coaching staff and the community with the football team and school,” Hirbour said. “It has a great campus and academics.”

Hirbour began playing football long before attending Westford Academy, causing the sport to be a constant presence in his life.

“I have played flag football my whole life, then [in] freshman year I started playing tackle for WA,” Hirbour said.

For Hirbour, football runs in his family. With his father having played the sport in college, and his brother currently playing, football has a large impact within his household.

“My dad played college football and loves the sport, so that’s what got me into it,” Hirbour said. “There’s definitely a big football presence in my house.” 

According to WA Boys’ Varsity Football coach Bruce Rich, as Hirbour entered his freshman year at WA, he immediately stuck out due to his athleticism. 

“His length and athletic ability stood out right away,” Rich said. “Even as a freshman, you could see his ceiling [of potential] was very high.”

Hirbour’s skills and commitment continued to improve from then on. According to fellow senior captain Ben Chen, he has seen Hirbour’s growth first hand after having played with him since freshman year.

“I’ve played with him all four years,” Chen said. “Freshman year he was alright, but over the years, he’s put in the time and effort to become better. He’s become more committed to the team and more dedicated to the program.”

This dedication translated into both his individual performance on the team, as well as his leadership. As a captain, Hirbour also took on some responsibility to help others on the team.

“He’s helped lead stretches, kept everyone in check, and helped everyone evolve as players,” Chen said. “He also contributed time and effort to the community [by] showing up to events like youth clinics.”

In addition to helping by checking in on and coaching younger players, Hirbour steps up and leads by example on the field as well.

According to Chen, Hirbour’s willingness to help other players on the football team demonstrates how he has helped to grow a sense of community among the program. On the field, however, Hirbour found his greatest success as a wide receiver. His attributes and competitive mindset made him a difficult challenger to face up against on the field.

“His best position is as [a] receiver,” Rich said. “He has length, strength, and balance, which allows him to create a separation when running routes. He has great hands, but most importantly, he is a competitor.”

To add on, Hirbour’s understanding of the game allows him to read defenses and adjust his gameplay effectively. His ability to stay composed under pressure and make key plays in critical moments makes him reliable on his team. This competitive edge becomes especially prevalent when high-pressure situations occur during games. According to Rich, Hirbour has consistently elevated his performance during vital moments. 

“When the game is on the line, Teddy plays at his best,” Rich said. “Some players might get nervous in those moments–not Teddy.”

In addition to his physical abilities on the field, his mentality and demeanor have also developed, becoming key components that separate him from other players.

“His confidence and toughness have really grown,” Rich said, “His game seems to elevate when situations become more intense.”

Throughout his time playing both basketball and football, Hirbour has also built meaningful relationships that have come to be a major part of his experience during his time at WA.

“[While] playing sports at WA, I’ve created friendships that will last a lifetime, and I am forever grateful for that,” Hirbour said. “It forms teamwork and chemistry on the field and court and creates friendships outside of it that I value very much.”

Outside of playing personally, Hirbour also watches football in a larger setting by keeping track of the NFL games.

“[It] stinks that the Pats couldn’t get it done, but they were young and the Seahawks were a good team,” Hirbour said.

Looking into the future, Hirbour does not plan to play on the field after he graduates college. He instead plans to pursue a career in finance. For now, as his senior year comes to a close, Hirbour prepares to advance toward the next chapter in his life, taking what he has learnt from his experiences both on and off the football field with him.

“Congratulations [are] well deserved,” Chen said. “Based on this past season, I’m sure he’ll be a great fit for Union’s program.”