One of Liberty football's driving forces, verstile Andrew Lee exudes enthusiasm on and off the field.
By Andre D. Williams
Of The Morning Call

Andrew Lee is like a magnet when it comes to the spotlight.

He loves being in it. Whether he's playing football, doing the pole vault, or in a classroom at Liberty High, Lee is often the center of attention

''You never see him without a smile on his face,'' said Liberty football coach Tim Moncman.

That's because sports, school and life in general are enjoyable for Lee, despite the fact that his parents separated when he was 7. His father, William Lee, has remained a strong presence in his life.''My father has been at every game, every sport since I was little,'' Andrew Lee said. ''He comes to everything. He's a big part of my life, and I'm kind of lucky to have that because I know a lot of kids, when their parents get divorced, see their father less and less.

''Whenever I need him he's always there and he probably always will be.'' Lee's father; his mother, Karen Friedman; his step-dad, Bruce Friedman; his brother, Adam; and his step-siblings, Bruce and Brie, will all be at J. Birney Crum Stadium at 1 p.m. Saturday when Liberty (12-1) plays North Penn (12-1) in the PIAA Class 4A Eastern final.

''This is the greatest game of our lives, not just for us, but if we win this game it's something that the whole city can get behind,'' Lee said. ''We are playing to win, and we want to win as a team and as individuals, but everybody in Bethlehem and District 11 wants to see us win, too. It's one of the biggest games some of us will ever play in.''

Lee has done his part to help Liberty move within one victory of playing for the school's first PIAA title. He has amassed 770 yards in total offense and scored 15 touchdowns. And as a standout defensive back, he has intercepted six passes, posted 27 solo tackles and made 10 assisted stops.

Talented, versatile and a leader. Yes, Lee is each, and he's earned the attention of Division I-AA recruiters.

''He could be a defensive back, a shutdown corner,'' Moncman said.

He's just an athlete, and not just one who can hit, run, and catch. He's also a risk-taker. Otherwise, he wouldn't also compete on the Hurricanes' track and field team as a pole vaulter.

In the PIAA Class 3A Track and Field Championships last year, Lee cleared 14-6 and placed sixth. It was only the second season he has ever completed in the pole vault, an event that's rare for football players, but Lee thrives on doing things differently.

His one disappointment was that rain forced the event to be finished inside. That meant fewer people, not as big of a spotlight.

''I like the crowd,'' Lee said. ''That's what's different from football. With football you go out there and there's 10 other guys with you. It's more of a team game. I love the aspect of the team game, but with pole vaulting all eyes are on you the moment that you are on the runway.

''Everybody is watching you and there's no one else you can blame anything on, and I think that's the beauty of individual sports. It's just basically you against the world. However you do, if you do bad, you can't point the finger at anyone else, and if you do good, then you know that it was you who did it.''

Lee does not accept failure easily. In last Saturday's 42-6 victory over Philadelphia Public League champion Frankford in the PIAA quarterfinals, he fumbled twice, but still gained 120 yards on 12 carries.

The fumbles played more on his mind than the stampede he did through the Pioneers' paper-thin defense.

''I'm never happy with myself with anything that I do,'' he said. ''I'm very hard on myself and I think that's going to lead me to success because when you are very critical about yourself, you strive to make things perfect, and even when things do become perfect you still strive for even more perfection.''

Liberty linebacker Andres Morales, who's being heavily recruited by Division I programs, says Lee is the consummate teammate.

''He is kind of like unconscious,'' Morales said. ''He fills the holes harder, he gets more pressure, and he just does a good job. He can play any spot in the secondary. He's the man back there.''

Lee says he still has to get better as a player, mature as an individual and one day become the professional that he and his father believe he can become.

''I want to go and whatever I end up doing I want to be successful at it, he said. ''Honestly, the way I was raised and the way that coach Moncman has always taught our team is to always strive for more.''