Black History Month: Phil Archer

Gopher Athletics is celebrating those who made us great in honor of Black History Month. We will be highlighting the careers of 20 black, former student-athletes from various sports as they share what Black History Month means to them, their best memories as Gophers, and their advice for current student-athletes.

Phil Archer played linebacker for the Gophers from 1999-2002. Archer tallied 113 tackles in his sophomore season, ranking second on the team and fifth in the Big Ten. In 2002, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced its 2002 All-America Watch List, which includes football student-athletes who are listed among the best at their position, and named Phil Archer to the list. Beyond his athletic career, Archer says that the bonds and trust that he developed with his teammates in his college football experience led them to become some of his greatest friends, business partners, and colleagues.

Archer passes along great advice to all student-athletes saying, "expect excellence from yourself in every aspect of your life, not just your respective sport. Work hard at building relationships, work hard at excelling in the classroom, and work hard at being the best athlete and teammate possible. If your time at the 'U' is spent focusing on building those three things, you will be happy when your time as a student athlete is done and you will be set up for success in your next endeavor!"

In 2013, he found his way back into athletics, as he assisted in football camps and training programs and started coaching outside linebackers at Macalester College. Archer also started an annual free youth football camp, now in its fifth year, at Jimmy Lee, the rec center where he first played football. Currently he is in the role of athletic director at his alma mater, Cretin-Derham Hall High School, a catholic military high school in St. Paul, Minn.

What has been your favorite memory of Gopher Athletics as an alum since you left the University?

Long term: Seeing the growth and success of fellow Gopher athletes that I've had the pleasure to work with and/or mentor over the years.
More recently: Being on the field this year during the Penn State football game with my 13-year-old son and a group of former teammates and a couple of their kids. The emotions, pride, and sense of generational brotherhood at the U was indescribable!

What does Black History Month mean to you?

During Black History Month we tend to celebrate the big names like MLK, Frederick Douglas, or A. Philip Randolph. While all the large figure heads in United States Black history are very important I tend to think about the local ones like Jimmy Lee the Hallie Q. Brown Athletic Director, Coach and Ref that the rec center is named after, Cecil Newman the founder of the Spokesman/Recorder Newspapers or a Dave Winfield a Hall of Fame Baseball player who grew up in the same neighborhood I did and also wore No. 31 at the U of M. Growing up in the Rondo area of St. Paul, and also having several generations of family work and study at the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Black History month means a lot to me. That includes community leaders, athletes (college and pro), influencers, and business owners. It's a chance for me to make sure everything that I'm doing in my life works towards making them proud! I want my community, the former players that came before me and mostly my family to feel their sacrifices and determination to succeed despite obstacles was fruitful in the end.

How have you been influenced or inspired by other black athletes, role models, or leaders in your life?

One of the great things about the 'U' is an alumni network that tends to look out for one another. I've been blessed to be mentored by Darrell Thompson throughout life since my time at the 'U' started. The example he set from a business, personal and family standpoint has helped me to make career, business and family decisions that have positively influenced my family and others around me in a big way. Staying connected and being friends with Jack Brewer, Tyrone Carter or Judge Dixon and Bobby Bell all have its benefits. They are inspiring people that push you to accomplish more or to do better at whatever it is you are doing. I'm excited to see them have continued success in life and I know they are excited to see when I have successes as well. In a way we are all still teammates rooting each other on.

Give us an update on what you have been doing since leaving the University.

After graduating from the U, I started a master's degree program at Western Illinois University in Exercise Science and played my fifth year of football. I was then drafted directly to NFL Europe by the Amsterdam Admirals in 2005. After being the starting middle linebacker for the Admirals on their 2005 NFL Europe World Bowl Championship team, I signed multiple contracts between 2005-2007 with the San Diego Chargers, the Minnesota Vikings practice squad and again with the Amsterdam Admirals. When my playing career ended around 2007, I moved back to Minnesota to be close to family. I worked in sales for several years in the medical space (ARP Wave) and logistics and transportation (CH Robinson). My wife Crystal ('04 grad of the U) and I live in Blaine with our four children Keyon (13), Jaeda (8), Gianna (6), Kyu (3) and are second parents to Forrest Lloyd (27 of Denver CO).

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