Even though he received interest from Harvard, Princeton, and several Northeast-10 schools, Will Heikkinen chose to commit to Brown University for many reasons.
There’s a history between Andover High School and Brown University. Several members of the high school football team have gone on to have illustrious college careers as Brown Bears and this is what Will hopes for as well. The proximity of Providence to Andover is appealing because Will can have freedom, yet home is within driving distance. The historic city location doesn’t hurt either. The academic program at Brown is superb and can prepare any over-achieving student, such as Will, for life in the real world. Overall it’s a great fit.
Heikkinen is modest enough to know not to take all the credit for his success. He put in the work, but received great leadership from his Andover coach, EJ Perry. He also emphasized the importance of his quarterback when he said, “He [Scarpa] really made me the player I am and vice versa.”
It’s easy to see why Brown University extended an invitation to Will. He is well rounded having achieved success in academics, community service, and being a star high school football player who often made the newspaper, The Eagle-Tribune, in his hometown of Andover, Massachusetts.
- During his high school football career, Heikkinen amassed 126 catches and 1,960 receiving yards (both school records) and 22 touchdowns.
- He also had seven career interceptions on defense
- Lettered in football all three years
- Lettered in track and field
- He was selected to the All-Merrimack Valley Conference
- Named Student Athlete of the Month by the Eagle-Tribune Andover’s local newspaper.
- The Boston Globe and Boston Herald named Heikkinen First Team All-State (after recording 72 catches for 1,175 yards and 9 touchdowns his senior year)
- Honor Roll
- Winner of the Chemistry and Survey of Film Underclassmen awards