Hall of Fame
Nate Forse contemplated quitting football before coming to Cal U, but his decision not to resulted in a successful professional career and now a spot in the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame.
A three-year starting and all-conference receiver for the football team from 2005-07, Forse earned his bachelor's degree in sport management from Cal U in 2007.
For the past six years, He owns and operates Forse Lifestyle Coaching, in Los Angeles, California, where he helps people become high achievers, find their true purpose, maximize their lives, and master their bodies.
"Cal was not my first choice because of my dream out of high school of playing Division I. But coming here was a blessing in disguise," said Forse who transferred from West Virginia University. "I believe everything in life happens for a purpose and it might not happen the way you plan it, but Cal U shaped and molded me into who I am today."
Football success was immediate for Forse at Cal U, where he led all receivers with 39 catches for 496 yards and two touchdowns in 2005. The offense averaged a school-record 42.1 points per game that season and the Vulcans won eight games and their first PSAC West title in 21 years. Cal U tied the 1920 team with a school-record 88 points in a victory at Mansfield.
The following year, Forse again led the team with 50 receptions for 768 yards and three touchdowns. The Vulcans repeated as PSAC West champions and again won eight games.
In 2007, Forse caught 59 balls for 804 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Vulcans compiled a 13-1 overall record and earned the team's first-ever NCAA Division II playoff appearance. After achieving the program's first undefeated regular season in 49 years, Cal U won two playoff games and advanced to its first of three-straight national semifinal appearances. Forse earned his third all-conference accolade at season's end.
While being recruited by Cal U offensive coordinator, and later head coach, Mike Kellar, Forse said he had a feeling he could make an impact on a program that was building something special.
"We had a lot of transfers, but we were so cohesive, and there were no "I" guys on our team," Forse said. "The coaching staff always emphasized that how we'd play on gameday was all about how we prepared all week and for me it was a fresh start."
Two of Forse's touchdowns his senior season came in a 38-12 win at IUP, which was Cal U's second win over their nearby rivals in three years after losing 20 times previously. Forse had two touchdowns and 239 yards in the NCAA Playoffs.
"I regret we did not make the national title game because we had the team to do it, but that's football," Forse said. "You don't get a second chance in games, and you have to be grateful for what you have and take in the most of every single day. Those are big lessons I've learned from football."
He finished his collegiate career with 148 total receptions, 2,068 yards and 15 touchdowns. His career receptions and yards still rank fifth and 10th, respectively, in the school record book.
During Forse's three seasons, the Vulcans won 29 of 35 games with a 16-2 PSAC West mark under former head coach John Luckhardt. Forse praised Bobby Sepesy, Cal U's head strength and conditioning coach.
"He's a huge influence on my life and what I do now," said Forse, who is from Uniontown, Pennsylvania. "He really instilled a love of nutrition and a passion for training. I stayed at Cal and really dedicated myself to training and eating well before my senior season, and it was no accident that was my best year."
Sepesy deflected Forse's credit back to him.
"All of those positive tools were always in Nate and he's just so hard working, determined and a ferocious competitor in every endeavor he encounters," Sepesy said. "I think with a lot of young people he just needed to organize a bit and find some direction and I feel blessed that I was able to meet up with him at that point in his life and just help him direct that energy that was already inside him."
Forse is a 2002 graduate of Laurel Highlands School in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he was a three-time all-conference standout in football and basketball and also completed in track & field. He received the B'nai B'rith Fayette Lodge No. 471 Sports Award after his senior year, given to student-athletes who are outstanding in scholarship, athletics, and sportsmanship.
Before starting his business, Forse played five Arena Football League seasons and made 199 career receptions for 2,332 yards and 38 touchdowns. He resides in Marina del Ray, California. Â
"Southwestern Pennsylvania will always be home and it's neat that I went to school in California, Pennsylvania, and now I'm living in California," Forse said. "I am super humbled, honored and blown away by making the Hall of Fame. I feel like I've come full circle and can't believe this is happening.
"Cal U was a huge influence on me and I could not be more grateful for my time there."
updated 06/05/19
