ARCHIE MCINTOSH: NOT YOUR TYPICAL ATHLETE

By: Katie Domitrovich, Charlotte Latin

Archie McIntosh, the 18 year old son of Jennifer and Arch McIntosh Jr., is a senior at Charlotte Latin School. He is on both the football team and the lacrosse team at school, and participates in his church’s basketball league. Archie began football eight years ago, and today, plays on the offensive line and defensive line for the Charlotte Latin Hawks (8-1). He took up lacrosse about five years ago, and plays defense for the school’s team. When asked which sport he enjoyed more, Archie replied “I have no preference in sports, I just love competition”. To better prepare himself for the fields, Archie has participated in Charlotte Latin’s weight lifting program, Iron Hawks, since the eighth grade, and throughout the entire summer he attends workouts, as well as partaking in various football training camps. Last year, he was awarded All-Conference and Defensive Player of the Year in lacrosse.

What sets Archie apart from the average jock though, is his shocking artistic talent. The one thing he loves about art is just “simply creating”, and he feels that it is the one way humans have to connect with God. “He created us, and gave us the ability to create,” remarks Archie. He enjoys doing any kind of graphic realism, and although most of his artwork consists of either realistic portraits or landscapes, Archie also enjoys abstract art as well. To enrich his knowledge of art and further his artistic ability, he has taken several classes, including art classes at Latin, and classes at Braitman Studios in Charlotte. Two summers ago, Archie took a trip to Italy, participating in the Spoleto Study Abroad Program, which he acknowledges as one of the greatest experiences of his life so far. Being separated from his family and friends for three weeks helped him to learn more about himself and improve as an artist. Archie has received several scholastic awards for his artwork.

Archie uses both athletics and art as different ways of expressing himself and “they work together to keep my life balanced”. What most people don’t know about him is that he also has a musical side. He is a song writer and singer for a band called “Frozen Mud”, which he describes as “just a bunch of my buddies with acoustic guitars.”

When asked about his plans for college, Archie says that he is just considering all of his options right now. He said that it is a possibility that he would like to play football for a smaller school like Samford, Centre, or Hampton Sydney. He is also thinking about attending art school at Savannah College of Art and Design. Regardless of what school he goes to though, Archie wants to study visual arts, most likely in graphic design.  His dream job would be a combination of his love of sports and art: to work for ESPN doing their graphics.