Sam Vander Haar: How an Aussie Rules Player Found a Home at BYU

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU's Australian punter Sam Vander Haar. When backpacking through America in 2019, Sam met his future wife Hallie in San Diego, setting him on an unexpected path that would lead from swimming pool sales in Melbourne to becoming one of college football's most dynamic special teams weapons.

Known for his unorthodox between-the-legs pass to kicker Will Faren on a fake field goal against UCF and his game-changing fake punt run against Baylor, Sam brings a unique perspective to BYU's locker room. His journey from semi-professional Aussie Rules football to American college football through ProKick Australia has given him both technical skills and mental toughness that benefit the entire team.

While his pin-point accuracy on punts regularly places the ball inside opponents' 5-yard line, it's his attitude as the self-described "antagonist" in the locker room that truly stands out. Sam shares how his backpacking adventures throughout Central America transformed his worldview, helping him let go of an identity too wrapped up in sports and teaching him humility. Though not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sam has found a welcoming home in Provo and values how his teammates' character inspires him to be a better person. Through stories of crucial game moments, unique special teams tricks, and life-changing perspective shifts, Sam reveals how his unconventional path has created a life of meaningful impact both on and off the field!

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Video Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Sam Vander Haar

00:52 - Sam explains how he ended up at BYU from Australia

01:16 - Discussion about ProKick Australia and Aussie Rules Football

02:06 - Differences between traditional and Aussie Rules punting styles

04:26 - Sam's journey from Pittsburgh to BYU

07:18 - Meeting his wife Hallie while backpacking in San Diego

8:54 - Impact of COVID on Sam's career path

10:04 - Sam's identity transition from Aussie Rules footballer to punter

11:48 - The mental approach: letting go of anxiety in performance

12:38 - The Utah game and keeping Will Ferrin loose before his game-winning kick

14:15 - Sam's role as holder for field goals and relationship with Will

17:17 - Why Sam became the holder as well as punter

18:44 - The Baylor game and Sam's role in Aussie Rules Football

20:21 - Coach Poppinga recognizing Sam's running ability

21:56 - The fake punt against Baylor on 4th and 10

23:30 - Tyler Batty deciding not to check out of the fake punt call

25:33 - Sam's comfort level running with the ball in the fake punt

26:49 - How the fake punt shifted momentum against Baylor

27:40 - Team chemistry and having fun on the field

29:11 - Mindset against Colorado: respecting opponents while being confident

31:02 - The importance of having starters on special teams

32:54 - The team's mindset after last season's success

34:24 - Maintaining hunger despite success

35:32 - Sam's life-changing backpacking experiences

36:30 - How traveling changed Sam's perspective and maturity

38:03 - Lessons in humility from seeing other cultures

39:36 - Sam's experience as a non-member at BYU

40:42 - The positive influence of BYU's environment on Sam

42:00 - What Coach Jay Hill meant about Sam being good for the team

44:26 - Sam's future goals at BYU and beyond

46:08 - Discussion about spiral punts vs. Aussie Rules punting techniques

47:26 - The strategic precision of Sam's placement pu