Bobsled Athlete Found On GMTM Is Selected For USA National Team

ByScotty Jenkins

2 min read

Bobsled Athlete Found On GMTM Is Selected For USA National Team

In September of 2020, former Princeton football and track athlete Charlie Volker submitted his film to USA Bobsled's Digital Combine on GMTM. Twelve months later, he was officially selected as one of the athletes for the USA National Team.

On Tuesday, USA's national bobsled & skeleton federation (USABS) announced their list of athletes selected for the 2021/2022 Winter season, which is the short list of athletes suspected to compete in the XXIV Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

The list of men's and women's athletes included a few recognizable names, including former USA Track athlete Lolo Jones and a handful of former Winter Olympics medalists like Elena Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs.

One name though, was probably not as well known to those who followed USA Bobsled at the 2018 Winter Games in Sochi. That name is Charlie Volker, an Ivy-League football standout from New Jersey that took up the sport less than one year ago.

Volker, a 23-year-old who graduated from Princeton in 2020, looked into bobsled at the request of a strength coach who was helping him to prepare for the NFL combine. A complicated schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic helped Volker to look for more creative opportunities to capitalize on his athleticism during the lockdown.

That search led him to the USA Bobsled Digital Combine on GMTM. And quickly led the USABS coaches to him.

Volker's trajectory into the sport of bobsled wasn't unique. The current list of includes a number of football players and track and field athletes who found the winter sport after their college career.

Check out how Volker's teammates came into the sport:

  • Carlo Valdes played wide receiver at UCLA for a year and then ran track before his coach told him he should check out Bobsled.
  • Blaine McConnell, a native of Washington state, played football at the University of Idaho before submitting to a USA Bobsled combine.
  • Kris Horn was the 2012 Decathlon National Champion at UMass and earned his major in mechanical engineering, before finding his knack for running on ice.
  • Josh Williamson played Division I Lacrosse at Mercer University before winning Team USA's "Scouting Camp: The Next Olympic Hopeful" competition in 2017.
Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
GMTM Unveils Exciting Partnerships and Events for Athletes in 2024!

GMTM Unveils Exciting Partnerships and Events for Athletes in 2024!

2024 is proving to be an exhilarating chapter for athletes within the GMTM community. We are...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Feb 26 2024
Embark on the Ultimate Football Journey: Join the U20 U.S. Tackle National Team!

Embark on the Ultimate Football Journey: Join the U20 U.S. Tackle National Team!

Calling all dynamic athletes! USA Football invites you to seize a thrilling opportunity to showcase...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Feb 12 2024
From Athletes to AI: The GMTM 2023 Year in Review

From Athletes to AI: The GMTM 2023 Year in Review

As 2023 comes to an end, we want to pause for a moment to reflect on all that weโ€™ve accomplished...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Dec 26 2023
A Guide to Getting the Most out of the GMTM Mobile App

A Guide to Getting the Most out of the GMTM Mobile App

Being an athlete in today's competitive world demands more than just physical prowess; it requires...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Sep 13 2023
2023 U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave Competition On Deck

2023 U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave Competition On Deck

On August 26, the Utah Olympic Park will welcome several of the best aerials athletes in the world...

ByLeann Bentley | Fri Aug 25 2023
โ€œThe LinkedIn for Sportsโ€ Unveils Revolutionary AI Feature: GMTM is Transforming Athletes' Journeys

โ€œThe LinkedIn for Sportsโ€ Unveils Revolutionary AI Feature: GMTM is Transforming Athletes' Journeys

Tampa, FL โ€“ GMTM, a leading sports technology company committed to democratizing opportunities for...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Aug 21 2023
Revolutionizing Athletics: AI Coaches Will Power & Empower the Future of Athletes

Revolutionizing Athletics: AI Coaches Will Power & Empower the Future of Athletes

I have always believed that technology's greatest promise lies in its capacity to democratize...

ByJoey Grant | Fri Aug 11 2023
The True Cost of Being an Athlete

The True Cost of Being an Athlete

The High Cost of Athletic Success: A Call for Change Remember the 2008 financial crisis? It wasn't...

ByJoey Grant | Thu Jul 27 2023
GMTM: A Bridge to Canada's Vibrant Volleyball Talent

GMTM: A Bridge to Canada's Vibrant Volleyball Talent

"What is the secret ingredient behind GMTM's success?" I was recently asked this question, so I...

ByJoey Grant | Tue Jul 25 2023
Pursuing Greatness: Unlocking Your Potential

Pursuing Greatness: Unlocking Your Potential

Our journey working with the best organizations has given us unique insights into the world of...

ByJoey Grant | Mon Jul 17 2023
The Modern Athlete: Navigating Success in the New Age of Sports

The Modern Athlete: Navigating Success in the New Age of Sports

With over a decade of experience in sports, I've studied the terrain of athletics with an insider's...

ByJoey Grant | Wed Jul 05 2023
Elevate Your Team: How GMTM Transforms Sports Organizations

Elevate Your Team: How GMTM Transforms Sports Organizations

Running a sports organization comes with a myriad of challenges, from identifying talent and...

ByJoey Grant | Fri Jun 30 2023
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Launches the 2023 Virtual World Flip League

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Launches the 2023 Virtual World Flip League

Join the inaugural 2023 Virtual World Flip League (VWFL) - Your Path to US Aerial Summer Nationals...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Jun 28 2023
GMTM At The 2023 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships

GMTM At The 2023 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships

Last weekend, over 1,000 of the best collegiate triathletes arrived in Lake Lanier, Georgia to...

ByConnor Dietz | Thu Apr 20 2023
How GMTM helps Ontario Volleyball create more opportunities for Canadian athletes

How GMTM helps Ontario Volleyball create more opportunities for Canadian athletes

The Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) has an interesting problem.ย  Located within a few hours of...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Mon Mar 20 2023
Athletes Who Earned Their USA Football Tryout Invite on GMTM

Athletes Who Earned Their USA Football Tryout Invite on GMTM

Does football season really end anymore? The day after the Super Bowl, which marks the end of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Mar 06 2023
Recruiting: 4 Simple Steps to Fix the Sports Industryโ€™s Broken Process

Recruiting: 4 Simple Steps to Fix the Sports Industryโ€™s Broken Process

โ€œYou aren't a recruit until a coach knows about you.โ€ This is a quote about recruiting from a...

ByJoey Grant | Fri Feb 03 2023
Former Texas football player earns an invite to USA Bobsled Rookie Training

Former Texas football player earns an invite to USA Bobsled Rookie Training

Ten promising Olympic hopefuls were chosen by USA Bobsled and Skeleton to attend their January...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Jan 24 2023
How Organizations Are Finding Athletes and Success on GMTM

How Organizations Are Finding Athletes and Success on GMTM

Over the past year, organizations have been utilizing GMTM to better engage with athletes and to...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jan 05 2023
Former BYU Volleyball player earns an invite to USA Bobsled Rookie Training

Former BYU Volleyball player earns an invite to USA Bobsled Rookie Training

Ten promising Olympic hopefuls were chosen by USA Bobsled and Skeleton to attend their January...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jan 04 2023
2022 Recap: GMTM Continues To Innovate How Teams Engage And Recruit

2022 Recap: GMTM Continues To Innovate How Teams Engage And Recruit

Since GMTM first launched a Virtual Event in 2020, a lot has changed on the platform. New social...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Dec 30 2022
Bobsled Tryouts: Which other sports produce the best American bobsledders?

Bobsled Tryouts: Which other sports produce the best American bobsledders?

The U.S. National Bobsled Team is pretty unique when compared to the roster of other winter Olympic...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Dec 14 2022
How Climbing Canada Successfully Qualified Athletes Without In-Person Events

How Climbing Canada Successfully Qualified Athletes Without In-Person Events

During the pandemic, many sports organizations had to get creative and find new ways of interacting...

ByTiffany Allen | Sun Dec 11 2022
USA Weightlifting Names โ€˜The Strongest High School Athletes In Americaโ€™

USA Weightlifting Names โ€˜The Strongest High School Athletes In Americaโ€™

The title of "Strongest High School Athlete In America" has been decided. This fall, High school...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Dec 01 2022
Frequently Asked Questions About USA Weightliftingโ€™s High School Throwdown

Frequently Asked Questions About USA Weightliftingโ€™s High School Throwdown

In a free virtual combine called the High School Throwdown presented by Caffeine & Kilos, USA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Oct 31 2022
How To Complete The 5-10-5 Shuttle Run Drill

How To Complete The 5-10-5 Shuttle Run Drill

The 5-10-5 Shuttle Run, also known as the Pro Agility Test is one of the most popular drills used...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Oct 17 2022
USA Football Hosts Adult Flag Digital Combine To Discover National Team Athletes

USA Football Hosts Adult Flag Digital Combine To Discover National Team Athletes

This fall, USA Football is hosting a Digital Combine on...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 12 2022
USA Bobsled and Skeleton Hosts Third Annual Digital Combine For Hopeful Olympic Athletes

USA Bobsled and Skeleton Hosts Third Annual Digital Combine For Hopeful Olympic Athletes

Coaches from the United Statesโ€™ Olympic teams are serious about helping athletes from different...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 22 2022
Want To Be A Bobsledder? Here's Everything You Need To Know To Get Started

Want To Be A Bobsledder? Here's Everything You Need To Know To Get Started

Ice Hockey has had its moments in history. Downhill Skiing may be the most-exhilarating sport ever...

ByAbigail Penn | Wed Sep 07 2022
GMTM Hosts Coaches Referral Program as a Way to Connect Athletes to Olympic Opportunities

GMTM Hosts Coaches Referral Program as a Way to Connect Athletes to Olympic Opportunities

Because our mission at GMTM is to connect athletes to opportunities, we are always looking for new...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Aug 30 2022
GMTM Referral Program Terms & Conditions

GMTM Referral Program Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions (โ€œTermsโ€) apply to your participation in the GMTM Referral Program...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Aug 30 2022
Ten New USA Bobsled Athletes Who Were Discovered On GMTM

Ten New USA Bobsled Athletes Who Were Discovered On GMTM

Following the social distancing mandates and travel restrictions made during the pandemic in the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Aug 26 2022
How To Navigate Privacy Settings on GMTM

How To Navigate Privacy Settings on GMTM

At GMTM, our mission centers completely around serving athletes and connecting them with...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Aug 11 2022
Advancing GMTMโ€™s Mission at the William V. Campbell Summit

Advancing GMTMโ€™s Mission at the William V. Campbell Summit

Today, August 4, 2022, marks the beginning of the weekend to celebrate the 4th Annual Campbell...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Aug 04 2022
How GMTM is helping organizations recruit athletes on an international scale

How GMTM is helping organizations recruit athletes on an international scale

"Sports are going borderless." That is how GMTM founder Joey Grant sums up the unlimited reach his...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Jul 25 2022
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Launches Virtual Try Out on GMTM

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Launches Virtual Try Out on GMTM

Pay attention to how any Winter Olympian trains in the off-season, and youโ€™ll see the work doesnโ€™t...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Jun 27 2022
How Athletes Can Use Each Category In GMTM Feeds

How Athletes Can Use Each Category In GMTM Feeds

Similar to the news feeds on other social media sites, GMTM Feeds allows you to customize your...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Jun 24 2022
GMTM: The Athlete Social Network Empowering Female Athletes

GMTM: The Athlete Social Network Empowering Female Athletes

For the past 50 years, Title IX has played a vital role in empowering female athletes. The barriers...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jun 23 2022
USA Triathlon Partners With GMTM For Future Talent Identification

USA Triathlon Partners With GMTM For Future Talent Identification

For the last few years, we've seen top high school football recruits retitle their position as...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Jun 14 2022
How To Participate: Climbing Canada Youth Speed Nationals Virtual Qualifying

How To Participate: Climbing Canada Youth Speed Nationals Virtual Qualifying

The Virtual Qualifying for Climbing Canada's Youth Speed Nationals is a form of talent discovery...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Mar 16 2022
How to Claim Your Camp Film for Free With GMTM

How to Claim Your Camp Film for Free With GMTM

GMTM (Game Time) is proud to partner with dozens of top camps across the country with the goal of...

ByLeland | Mon Mar 14 2022
High School Football: Academic All-American Team Nomination Process Extended

High School Football: Academic All-American Team Nomination Process Extended

On Tuesday, High School Football America, the leading site for prep football news and scores around...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Mar 02 2022
Climbing Canada Hosts Virtual Qualifying For Youth Speed Nationals

Climbing Canada Hosts Virtual Qualifying For Youth Speed Nationals

You wouldn't think rock climbing athletes would be affected by a global pandemic. What comes to...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Feb 24 2022
US Speedskating Hosts Virtual Short Track Challenge For Skaters Of All Ages

US Speedskating Hosts Virtual Short Track Challenge For Skaters Of All Ages

US Speedskating is offering short-track skaters a completely new way to interact and participate in...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Feb 20 2022
Bobsled Athlete Found On GMTM Is Selected For USA National Team

Bobsled Athlete Found On GMTM Is Selected For USA National Team

In September of 2020, former Princeton football and track athlete Charlie Volker submitted his film...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Feb 08 2022
Olympic Sports: How To Participate In The Road To Gold Winter Tryout

Olympic Sports: How To Participate In The Road To Gold Winter Tryout

The Olympic Winter Games are right around the corner with teams from 100+ nations convening in...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Jan 27 2022
USOPC Launches The Road To Gold, Virtual Tryout For Winter Olympic Sports

USOPC Launches The Road To Gold, Virtual Tryout For Winter Olympic Sports

There is just under one month until 86 nations join together for the opening ceremonies of the XXIV...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jan 26 2022
Every Olympic Sport You Can  Virtually Tryout For Right Now

Every Olympic Sport You Can Virtually Tryout For Right Now

The Winter Olympic Games are being held in Beijing, China from February 4 to February 20, 2021....

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Jan 02 2022
Why College Programs Are Hosting Virtual Visits On GMTM

Why College Programs Are Hosting Virtual Visits On GMTM

There isn't any doubt that 2020 was an unprecedented year for recruiting. No in-person visits....

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Dec 25 2021
USA Luge Hosts Virtual Talent Search For Hopeful Winter Olympians

USA Luge Hosts Virtual Talent Search For Hopeful Winter Olympians

USA Luge is starting their nationwide search for talent this winter. And they're doing it in a way...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Dec 06 2021