It all started for Tim Willever when his dad, Todd, erected a small scale goalpost in his backyard. After just messing around for couple years, Willever took kicking serious during his sophomore season at Northern Burlington when he joined the football team. It’s gotten real serious now that Willever is The College of New Jersey’s freshman placekicker. Willever booted a 41-yard field goal in the Lions; win over Franklin & Marshall, he is averaging 51.6 yards on kickoffs and is a perfect 13-for-13 in extra points for the 2-1 Lions. “In a way it’s kind of surreal I never would’ve expected as a junior in high school that I’d be playing at the NCAA level,’’ said a very humble Willever. “I’m so grateful for so many people that have helped me get here.’’ From the small goalpost dad constructed to the big stage at TCNJ it has been quite a ride. Willever won the starting job in camp and it was a solid competition as the Lions had three players compete for the job. “We have three kickers and we all are young and it was a wide open competition,’’ recalled Willever. “I was happy to seize my moment and took control of it. Kicking has been awesome at TCNJ and I really happy that I got the opportunity and excited to be out there with my teammates, it’s an awesome feeling.’’ Once he began taking things serious, Willever enlisted the help of 5 Star Kicking, under the guidance of Jim Cooper. “He really helped me gain a hold of not just kicking, but how to deal with each kick,’’ said Willever. “That really helped me a lot and it helped me start my junior season.’’ Kickers often have to have the mentality of a relief pitcher in baseball, one always has to keep looking forward to the next opportunity. It didn’t take long for Willever to get his name out there as a pretty good kicker as he was the New Jersey Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after the first game of the season. “I didn’t know they did weekly awards,’’ said Willever. “I was out to lunch with my mom (Lisa) and dad (Todd) and I got the notification on my phone and I thought, that’s pretty cool. I was honored and happy to be selected.’’ The way he has been kicking it won’t be the last award he receives. One of the things that sets Willever apart is his calm demeanor as he tries to live in the moment and not make anything too big or too small. “Every now and then there will be some nerves,’’ admitted Willever. “But I just try and block it out and smile away. Because every time I’m out there I get to do my job.’’ He really learned to love his job at Northern. “It was a great atmosphere and Northern Burlington did a great job of bringing the community together and I absolutely loved that aspect,’’ said Willever. “Friday night playing in front of our friends, family and teachers and overall community was something I absolutely loved doing.’’ When he made a visit to TCNJ, Willever found another great atmosphere and after attending a game he knew he wanted to make it his next stop. “I have been into every practice and every game with an open mind and trying  to make my own path and just going kick by kick,’’ said Willever. “I don’t want to look too far into the future and just live in the moment.’’ A big thing that helps is the support he gets from his family. “I have to credit my mom with the mental aspects of things,’’ said Tim. “She enforced that more than anyone, I get a text from her every night and on game day. She is the most reassuring person in my life, in everything and also when it comes to kicking.’’ His mom, Lisa, his dad, a retired Deputy Chief at the Trenton Fire Department, and his sister Jessica and brother Patrick are his most ardent supporters. “Having the family support means the world,’’ said young Willever. “I know I couldn’t be here without it and it’s been amazing.’’