Mustangs’ Falkiewicz and Cornell a perfect match

Vin Falkiewicz had said from the start of what would be a record-setting season for him as Brick Memorial’s star running back that he wanted to attend an Ivy League school after college.

And the lean, grinding runner, who had a knack for hitting the hole, achieved his wish when he recently committed to the only school he officially visited — Cornell.

“As soon as I get my acceptance letter back, I’ll sign,” said Falkiewicz.

But because it is an Ivy League program, the university can offer “only” a financial aid package.

“Hey, it’s not $45,000 (the yearly costs) but it’s still $15,000,” said Falkiewicz.

But he was not talking about the team’s 5-5 record or any statistics on the field, but rather ranking that he was more concerned with:

“They’re No. 12 [nationally] academic-wise,” said Falkiewicz.

And that means instant-career opportunities as soon as Falkiewicz gets his degree, although he still has not decided on an area of study.

“I just loved the people there,” said Falkiewicz of his decision. “It was my only visit and I fell in love with the place. I’m not concerned so much with just football. I’m going to be there four years, so I want to like where I’m going.”

Falkiewicz, who rushed for 1,721 yards and 15 touchdowns and a school career record 4,081 yards over three seasons, realizes he won’t be running the ball much as a freshman again when he goes to Cornell. But he realizes he will be strictly offense after excelling both ways for the Mustangs for the past two seasons.

“They have one running back who is a junior and a freshman who I understand they’re moving to wide receiver, but I probably won’t start until the next year,” he said.

But Falkiewicz realizes anything could happen, from what he saw in his senior year as he helped the Mustangs return to the NJSIAA playoffs for a fourth straight year, a second-round 14-7 loss to Howell in Group IV, Central Jersey before finishing 6-5.

“I never thought anything like this would happen,” said Falkiewicz of his great senior year. “There were high expectations for me and I felt I did not want to let anybody down.”

By any measure, Falkiewicz did not, and that was not lost on the recruiters at Cornell and many other schools that courted him.

— Wayne Witkowski