Chowan University Athletics

CJ Westler came to Chowan in the Fall of 2008 from Urbana University (Ohio) to continue his athletic career under Tim Place and Offensive Coordinator Mark Hall. Prior to Westler arriving on campus for pre-season workouts in August of that year, both Place and Hall raved to anyone who would listen on Westler’s guts, grit, and star-studded capabilities as a left-handed, gutsy, and hard-as-nails quarterback. 

Westler quickly lived up to his preceding reputation, gaining the respect of both his own teammates and his opponents in his first snap from under center. Westler squeaked out yards on the ground and hit open receivers in stride for two years. He took hard hits in the pocket and beyond the line of scrimmage, but he always got up and ran back to the huddle to ready for the next play. The quiet and stoic quarterback let his field prowess do the talking. In all 20 games he played in wearing the Chowan Blue and White, he simply was a force to be reckoned with. Opposing defensive coordinators often scratched their heads in an attempt to come up with a scheme that would work against the athletic quarterback who seemed to thrive outside the pocket. 

During his time at Chowan, CJ was named 2008 CIAA All Conference 2^nd Team Offense, 2009 CIAA All Conference First Team Offense, 2009 CIAA All Conference Offensive Player of the Year, 2009 Chowan University Team Captain, and 2009 Chowan University Male Athlete of the Year.  Upon graduation in the spring of 2010, he held 15 offensive records.

·  Passing Attempts in a Game, Season, and Career

·  Passing Completions in a Game, Season, and Career

·  Passing Yards in a Game, Season, and Career

·  Passing Touchdowns in a Game, Season, and Career

·  Total Yards in a Game, Season, and Career.

In addition to his athletic honors, during his time at Chowan he was inducted into the Alpha Chi Honors Society, Kappa Delta Pi, President’s List for the Spring and Fall of 2010, and CIAA Academic All-Conference 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. He also was named to the CIAA Commisoner’s All-Academic Team, an honor only bestowed to 20 student-athletes from 12 CIAA institutions.

Westler graduated from Chowan University in May 2011 with a 3.67 GPA with a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education with a Concentration in Teacher Education.

Following his lights out academic and athletic careers at Chowan, Westler returned to his home town of Marion, Ohio to coach and teach at his former high school, Marion Harding High School. 

Westler is the current Assistant Head Football Coach and Offensive Coordinator for Marion Harding High School.  He has been married to his wife, Jessica, for six years and they currently have two children, a boy and a girl, with a third on the way.