By: <IMG SRC="http://files.12thman.com/graphics/bylines/willjohnson.png" ALT="Will Johnson"> Will Johnson, 12th Man Productions
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Before the start of August camp, Kevin Sumlin described Nick Starkel as a 'natural born leader'.
A quick check into Starkel's background makes it easy to see why the Aggies' head coach would make such a statement.
Nick's father, Murray, is a West Point graduate. His mother, Wendy, was a Navy nurse.
Murray served two tours in Iraq.
"My last tour was during the time the Iraqi people held their first election," Murray Starkel recounts. "I was focused on rebuilding their infrastructure, (such as) power plants, water supply and barracks for the Iraqi Army. There was such hope, and I still have great hope for the youth of the country."
With this 'divided house,' it shouldn't come as a surprise the Army-Navy game was a Starkel tradition. So much so, Murray would try to shout 'Go Army!' before Wendy could belt out 'Go Navy!' after saying Amen to the dinner time prayer.
A young Nick thought this was common practice.
"It even spilled over to the West Point Catholic Chapel when Nick was about two," says Murray. "We had just said the blessing, and instead of 'Amen', Nick yelled 'Beat Navy!' The Cadets loved it. It further imbedded the tradition in our house."
That may not have sat well with Wendy. But, her influence has been instrumental.
"I don't want to say this about Nick's dad, but until we got her on board, there was no Nick Starkel coming here (to A&M)," states Sumlin.
Wendy's side of the family is near Boston. They visit often. It's a major reason why Nick is a big fan of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
In fact, the first football camp Nick ever attended was hosted by the Patriots' Matt Light in 2008. Nick was 10, and won the award for best defensive back, and was runner-up as top quarterback.
A 10-year old Nick Starkel receives his camp awards from Patriots' 3-time Pro Bowler Matt Light in 2008. Light also won three Super Bowls with New England.
Murray's and Wendy's military backgrounds have served them well in raising two children. Nick's sister Lexi is pursuing her masters in a Marine Resource Management program at A&M-Galveston.
"West Point taught me we are capable of anything we set our minds to," says Murray. "West Point teaches to 'choose the harder right than the easier wrong.' That's what I've told Lexi and Nick as they pursue their dreams."
Nick has traveled the hard road, through injury, to work his way back into the role of starting quarterback.
After winning the competition in August, he took the field first in the Rose Bowl—and it couldn't have gone much better. He led A&M to a 41-10 lead before going down with an injury early in the third quarter.
He would not play in the next six games while his ankle healed. Returning to the field in the fourth quarter against Mississippi State (Oct. 28), Starkel marched the Aggies inside the red zone before an interception ended the scoring threat. He would bounce back, driving A&M down for a touchdown on the next possession.
Nick Starkel has led A&M to points on 12 of 23 drives (9 for touchdowns) this season.
One week later, after again coming off the bench—this time against Auburn—he threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Entering in the second quarter, Starkel engineered four scoring drives, and another that penetrated the Tiger 5-yard line.
In fact, on the season, Starkel has led A&M to points on 12 of 23 drives (9 for touchdowns), turning the ball over just once.
"Moving forward, he's earned back his spot," stated Sumlin in his post-Auburn presser. "And we'll go down the road like that."
It's fitting. Nick Starkel will make his first start at quarterback inside Kyle Field on Military Appreciation Night. His Army dad and Navy mom will likely wear a smile while watching.
If he and the Aggies close strong, Murray will face a dilemma the second week of December.
At last season's team banquet, Murray Starkel had to step away. The banquet was held on the evening of December 10th. As it unfolded, Army was trying end its 14-game losing streak to Navy. While Murray followed the action from outside the Hall of Champions at Kyle Field on his phone, The Black Knights scored an emotional 21-17 victory in Baltimore.
This year's banquet is on the same weekend. Army and Navy will be underway in Philadelphia.
But this time his son won't be a redshirt freshman with no game snaps.
It's very possible he'll have walked the harder path to help his team end the season on the right note. If so, the banquet could certainly be a celebration of his son's 'natural' ability to lead his troops in their final push.
Even though the Cadet/Midshipmen outcome may be hanging in the balance...Murray Starkel may have to keep his seat.
