Silas Starr is a graduate from Stanford University who is now studying a masters degree at the University of Nottingham as a sports scholar. Silas - an American Football wide receiver - moved to Nottingham in September and is already making a large impact on the field. Ahead of the final home fixture of 2024 for Silas and his team mates - a Headliner fixture against Loughborough - we spoke with the American to find out more about his decision to move to the UK this September, as well as the challenges ahead for him and the University of Nottingham American Football team.
Thank you for your time Silas – your journey to being here studying at the University of Nottingham is a little different as an international student. Could you tell us more about yourself and your decision to move to Nottingham?
Well, I did not know anything about the University of Nottingham before Phil Wood (Scholarship & Recruitment Manager) reached out to me as he was attending the college I studied at in the US – Stanford. He was meeting with a couple of other students so I decided to go along. Once I’d spoken to him, the opening seemed like something I wanted to do. I hadn’t had chance to travel too much during my undergrad, and it also offered me the chance to continue playing American Football and put a cap on my career whilst achieving a master’s degree too. To be able to do this in another country was a fantastic opportunity. I’m studying International Business here now at the University of Nottingham which is a new interest for me academically because I was a Psychology major at Stanford, and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
Where are you from originally and how did you get into your sport?
I grew up in the north-west of the US in Portland, Oregon, so pretty similar weather to Nottingham – I’m familiar with the rain! I’m from an athletic family as my mother ran track at the University of Oregon and my father played tennis at UCSB, whilst uncles played American Football at the collegiate level so I grew up always being around sports. I tried a host of sports, before I began to seriously start getting into American Football at around 6th or 7th grade. I started off playing a few different positions, before one of my coaches suggested I move to wide receiver which I did. I ended up having a few different collegiate options to play, but Stanford seemed to be the best fit for me and my family backed me all the way. It was definitely the right decision for me, and then after I finished at Stanford – I obviously made the move that’s led me to be here.
How would you describe your game and main strengths on the field?
So I’m quite tall – 6’2 without shoes on – and I also trust my hands a lot. I believe that I’ll catch every ball thrown my way. Because I’m a bigger guy, I also try to be more physical than defenders, which combined with having played the game for a long time I can use my knowledge to beat opponents to the ball. I’m not the fastest but being able to work with Dylan to beat someone to the right spot by knowing where I’m going to put my foot next before my opponent can react.
Was it a quick decision to move to Nottingham?
Well, I’d always wanted to travel so when this opportunity was presented to me, I really weighed up all my options and I think that there is, and was, so much upside to taking advantage of the opportunity. I went home for Christmas break after the season finished and spoke it through with my family and as I mentioned - they were fully supportive. The University of Nottingham American Football Head Coach – Jason Scott - also helped to put me in touch with other people who had made the same decision to move over from America, and they helped inform me of the experience that is to be had here which I was really thankful for. The university is also a fantastic university so I just thought why not – let’s take the chance.
How have you found being here so far?
I arrived in the first few weeks of September and we moved into pre-season preparations before the season which really helped me understand that we have a great culture within the squad. I think that is really important in the sport of American Football – it’s something you have to have or you just aren’t going to win games. The squad is just filled with guys who believe and are dogs as well as the talent. We’re still working to put everything together as a team cohesively but we’ve had a really good start to the season. There’s always something we can improve upon and as we progress through the season we’re going to have to hone our skills, but everyone is bought into that which makes it a lot of fun.
Are there a few other American scholars in the team too? Has that helped your experience?
I’m roommates with Quinn Williamson and Dylan Cadwallader, and there’s a really good American group within the squad. From what I’ve experienced so far, it definitely helps to have other people who are experiencing the same transition. The British guys have also been super supportive and welcoming which is awesome, and we really have a great group of guys in the team. I think it also shows on the field for us being able to bring our experience of playing in the US to the field here, and having others responding to that in a really positive was is awesome, and shows again the great group that we have here this year and the winning environment it’s producing.
How do you build that chemistry on the field with your team mates – particularly your quarterback who even though is American, you’d never met before?
It definitely takes a lot of reps! We’ve only been here for a couple of months, but Dylan is a really dynamic quarterback who’s always one step ahead of most others during the game. When you have someone like that, your trust is already through the roof. You know that he’s going to put the ball where it needs to be for players like myself to go and make the play. Then, once we got to know each other more you appreciate that he’s a genuine guy who wants to make the team better. Having a team leader like that makes my job easier – I just have to beat the guy in front of me!
What differences have you found between being a student-athlete here in the UK compared to back home?
On the field, the speed of the game is not as quick which is really interesting. You have to make sure you’re in the right spot and anticipate a little differently. Off the field, in the UK the culture is very different. Here, I’ve found that it’s not as hard-nosed and cut throat and that people are around to help you achieve the goal in front of you – whether that’s less reps to keep your body healthy or ensuring the whole team feels together in what we’re doing.
How has the start of the season been for you and the team?
So I knew that our season opener against UWE was a big game. I go into games with the mind-set that it doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we have to perform to our levels first and foremost, but I knew that it would be a statement game as the first one of the season against last year’s champions. Once we got onto the field I could feel the energy rising, and even though I never had a doubt that we wouldn’t win, but once we did – the atmosphere amongst the group was incredible. There were guys getting emotional and I was like – alright if it’s going to be like this then let’s go! I love to see that passion and emotion so to see that after the win was special and let me know that this season is going to be a good one.
Even though we got that initial victory, it could’ve gone either way and there are lots of things for us to improve on which also makes me really excited for how we can get better over the course of the year.
You’ve gone undefeated since that game and you’ll be playing back at David Ross in our final Headliner of 2024 on December 7. Why should people come out to support the team for the game?
I’m looking forward to it for sure! It should be a good match-up and I’m sure that if people come to support, the team will step up to the plate. I’m sure that we’re going to produce and it should be really fun for people to watch. I also think that the more energy we can feed off from the crowd, the better. It’s always great to see people that are in the #GreenandGold excited, and hopefully the event will also expose more people to American Football. I mean - a Headliner fixture just before Christmas, what more could you ask for?!
What are the aims for you and the team for the rest of the season?
We really go game-by-game and Coach Scott does a really good job of keeping things compartmentalised with daily schedules and things which keep us on track. It’s also cool because we’re playing teams twice. The fact that we’ve beaten everyone so far gives us great confidence, but it’s also really hard to win every game – especially once you’ve already played your opponents who then have some extra motivation. However, I’m really confident in the skill and commitment of our guys to achieve what we want to this year. I’m so stoked for the rest of the season and the run into the playoffs in 2025. It’ll hopefully be warmer on the field too!
How has your overall experience been here at the University of Nottingham?
It has been enjoyable! It’s opened up my eyes to how good walking is for you because we don’t do that in the states! Seriously though, I think it’s great to be around people who are different to me and are from different cultures. I’ve really embraced the differences and it’s been really fun.
Taking your experiences so far into account, what would you say to others who are thinking about travelling to study here?
I would say that if you feel like you could see yourself having fun in an environment like this then to take the chance. I’m a firm believer in God and I believe that life is all about spreading love, being true to yourself, and being intentional about things that bring you joy. Coming over to university in a different country is a leap of faith, so just have that faith in yourself and God. The experience is going to be what you make it and the opportunity to travel, see new things, and grow as a person is invaluable. Personally, I think it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
We thank Silas for speaking with us, and look forward to supporting him and his team mates over the remainder of the BUCS American Football season as they push for a national championship - a journey that continues with the Headliner this weekend!
You can get your tickets to see Silas and his team mates in action on Saturday here; https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1062903546119
You can find out more about our American Football programme here; Performance American Football, and you can find out more about the sports scholarship programme at the University of Nottingham here; Sports Scholarships at the University of Nottingham.