For many athletes, football is more than just a game; it’s a path to growth and opportunity. For Max Durgin, that path led to a commitment to Bethel University. After years of dedication through youth and high school football, Durgin is now preparing to take his talents to the college level while continuing to grow on and off the field.
Durgin first started playing football in sixth grade. He was inspired by his father, who played college ball and always watched games and played catch with him. During his time at Mayo High School, Durgin played running back, wide receiver, safety, and special teams. Over the years, he improved by training hard, trusting coaches, and having an amazing work ethic. One of his most memorable moments was his first varsity start as a sophomore against Stillwater, where he also managed to score his first touchdown. Durgin said the stadium pulse was ridiculous: “I couldn’t get out of my own head.”
During his high school years, Durgin suffered three different foot injuries, which led him to find an identity outside of football. Whenever things got rough, Durgin said his trainer at ETS, named Jake, kept him going stating, “ It felt like if I gave up on football I was giving up on him and all the work he put in with me.”
Leaping above a Centennial High School receiver, Mayo High School’s Max Durgin makes a one-handed interception. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ3BdLOjog0/?img_index=5&igsh=cjc1amh6YXdkeHR1
After some self-reflection at the end of Durgin’s junior season, the idea of playing college football became real. During the recruiting process, Durgin talked with UW-Lacrosse, Wheaton, and Bethel while also going to showcase camps all summer. Bethel stood out because of the honest coaching staff, the campus’s proximity to home, and the football team’s culture. Durgin said the most stressful part of the recruiting process is that “even if you pick a college, they also have to pick you.” When he received his official offer, Durgin said, “I ran a circle around my house,” showing how excited he was for the chance to play at Bethel.
Outside of football, Max Durgin is known for being an “academic weapon” with a 4.0 grade point average that involved taking classes such as AP literature and AP physics, as well as Statistics and Calculus during his senior year. He admits to bringing his competitive, hard-working attitude and effort from football into the classroom. He plans on majoring in Business and is supported by his friends, family, and his former coaches.
Taking a moment before kickoff, Max Durgin prepares for a battle under the Friday night lights at the start of the season. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ3BdLOjog0/?img_index=5&igsh=cjc1amh6YXdkeHR1
Looking ahead, Durgin hopes to become the best athlete he can be and connect with his peers at Bethel. He is currently working on improving his game speed and man coverage as he plans to play only defense at Bethell. His message to younger athletes is to “Put yourself out there. Be confident; work hard, and don’t compare yourself to anyone.”
As he prepares to begin his career at Bethel University, his journey shows what can happen through dedication, discipline, and belief. While committing to Bethel is a major milestone, it is only the next step on a football and lifetime journey that is still being written.
