Charlie Volker’s Olympic Dream Comes True

By: Cathy Padilla | February 4, 2022 |  Entertainment |  Fair Haven

Former Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School football and track star, Charlie Volker, is one of 12 athletes representing Team USA in the bobsled events at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China, taking place February 4 through February 20. The U.S. will field two sleds in all four bobsled disciplines.

“We are fortunate to have a deep talent pool,” said Aron McGuire, USA Bobsled/Skeleton Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud of this team, and we’re looking forward to watching them represent the United States in Beijing.”

The Olympic bobsled events will be held in a four-heat format over two days. Women’s monobob will be contested first from February 13-14. Two-man bobsled will take place from February 14-15, two-woman from February 18-19, and four-man from February 19-20 to close out the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Charlie is an All State and All Shore running back and sprinter who took on a completely new challenge when his post-college plans to try out for the NFL were paused due to the pandemic. Relatively new to the sport of bobsledding, Volker has found immediate success.

Volker rides in the “brakeman” position, the very back of both two- and four-man sleds, and the position responsible for pulling the brakes at the end of the track to slow the sled on the finish ramp.

"It’s a very fun position because, like being on the back of a rollercoaster, you really feel every one of the 5Gs that we’re pulling on the track,” shared Volker. “It’s also very challenging because it beats you up a bit after a few runs, and the brakeman has to try his best to stay as low and locked in as possible.”

Not the first football player or track star to transition to bobsled, Volker is in good company among Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker and Olympic gold medal hurdler Willie Davenport.

“The actual sledding/sliding itself is a rush just like football is, and I’d call myself an adventure seeker,” said Volker. “But more than that, what I like most about it is being on a team with some great people. A lot of these guys and girls (on the women’s team) are incredibly high achievers and just great people. I was surprised at how nice and welcoming everyone was to me upon introduction.”

Volker capped off his amazing athletic career at Rumson Fair Haven with 3955 career rushing yards (3508 total yards and 42 touchdowns during his junior and senior years), two CJ Group 2 State Football Championships, and a victory in the 100-meter dash at the NJSIAA Track and Field Meet of Champions. He was equally as talented in the classroom as well and a spirited and integrity-filled role model for younger students.

Volker went on to attend Princeton University where he continued to excel academically and athletically as a two- sport athlete, graduating in 2019 with a degree in history. Volker’s family attended RFH High School and Fair Haven primary schools, including his parents, his two sisters, Emily and Megan, and his brother John.