A big crowd was on hand in Heritage Academy’s gymnasium Friday morning for a special occasion featuring a multi-sport sensation.
This day had been coming since his verbal commitment in the summer, but finally, Luke Fisher put pen to paper as he officially signed his National Letter of Intent to play football at Air Force.
One of the best on the football field and the basketball court, Fisher has seemingly been everywhere for the Patriots and his work ethic and production has paid off, as his football career and life career will continue at a United States service academy.
“It’s awesome,” Fisher said. “You get recruited and the coaches take time to talk to you every day and let you know that you’re welcome. Coming into today, I was just so confident in my decision because of the brotherhood that they have.
“I’m going to be loved up there, and those coaches are going to make me the best football player I can be and the best person I can be.”
Playing college football is the pinnacle of one’s sporting career for many, but college football takes almost a back seat when one is committing to play for a service academy.
The phrase “Service Before Self” is one of the mottos of the Air Force, and knowing that upon graduation those at Air Force have to serve at least five years on active duty and three on inactive reserve, there was much more to the decision than just football.
Fisher grew up in a military family, as his father Jay served in the Air Force. He’ll now be continuing the family legacy of military service.
“Air Force was the first program to reach out to me,” Fisher said. “When I decided I wanted to try to play college football, I had no intention of going to a service academy. I just wanted to go somewhere where I could get my education paid for and play football at the same time, and then the academies came. It’s such a great opportunity.
“You not only get to play college football against great guys, but you get to play and go to school with great guys. You’re going to get the best education you can possibly get.”
The opportunity to go to Colorado and represent not only himself but represent the country with Air Force turned into a no-brainer, but from a football perspective, Fisher will have his hands full with the Falcons.
Playing in the Mountain West Conference, Fisher will get to see the likes of Wyoming, San Diego State, Boise State, Fresno State and more.
The Falcons are coming off a 10-win season and are the current holders of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for a record 21st time, defeating both Army and Navy in 2022.
Fisher’s coach, Lance Pogue, in the short time that he’s been at Heritage Academy, has seen the versatility that the linebacker can bring to the football field. Fisher also starred at running back and tight end for the Pats in the fall.
“He’s got great ability,” Pogue said. “He can run, he’s physical, but he understands the game at linebacker. He understands angles inside out, outside in, where his help is. Those things are hard to coach, and it comes natural to him.”
Pogue mentioned during his opening remarks in the morning that Fisher was the first player he’s seen commit to playing for a service academy during his coaching career.
Speaking about it afterwards, he not only was proud of Fisher for his work on the football field but was excited for what’s to come for him off it.
“I can’t measure how proud I am,” Pogue said. “Our country needs young men like this, and he’s going to be a great addition to the United States Air Force Academy, but just in general to the United States in his role.”
“I’m anxious to watch him play. His future is unlimited, and he’ll be a young man I’ll follow the rest of my life.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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