Sept. 27, 2001
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Take away the hype of Division I sports and the rich athletic tradition at Lafayette and you find the simple truth that brings each student-athlete out to the field every day: the love of the game. It's what drives them to devote countless hours a week to a sport at a level that has little hope of bringing them fame or riches in the future. Yet for most, their commitment to the game can be compared to any professional or Olympic athlete.
For four seniors, this love of the game has left them with what they have been working for all along - a starting nod on the Lafayette football team.
Four years ago, Philip Burger, Scott Longazel, Jorge Rosa and Jeff Werrell arrived on campus after successful high school careers. That success would surely propel them to greatness on the collegiate level. They would soon find out it certainly was not going to be as freshman, or sophomores for that matter. Yet they put in the time, waiting for the opportunity to shine in a Leopards' uniform.
Second-year head coach Frank Tavani has talked about the dedication and commitment of this senior class, and these four student-athletes are an example of how to succeed through hard work.
"The four of them optimize the idea of a work ethic and they are a great example of what this football program is all about," said Tavani. "They are all hard working individuals and have the perseverance to hang in there. I hope more players recognize them for their efforts."
Burger was an All-Conference and All-District performer for Norwin High School and served as a captain his senior year. He spent the majority of his first two seasons at Lafayette excelling in the junior varsity program. Coaches could see he was getting stronger and after a solid performance on the scout team his junior year, he was given a scout team award for his play on the defensive line.
"Phil is a self-made man," said Tavani. "He put in the time in the weight room and is one of the strongest guys on the team. He has improved on his speed and strength tremendously."
Longazel arrived on campus after a successful career at Western Reserve Academy where he was named All-League and All-County. He performed well on the junior varsity squad as a freshman at Lafayette and saw valuable minutes for special teams on varsity as a sophomore. His progress was slowed his junior year after suffering an ankle injury that sidelined him for the 2000 season.
"Scott has gone through a lot of obstacles due to injury. He sustained a severe ankle injury at the end of his sophomore year, and we didn't anticipate he'd be able to play again," explained Tavani. "He's at the point now where you wouldn't remember he hurt it. He possesses a determination that you can't teach and that it is difficult to find. It's very gratifying to see him come back from everything to earn his spot on the field."
A four-year starter for Port Jervis High School, Rosa was a third-team All-State honoree and earned an honorable mention on the All-USA team. Rosa has seen his minutes on the varsity level steadily increase each season at Lafayette, and earned his first varsity letter as a junior after competing in seven games for the Leopards. He performed well in the spring season, notching two sacks in the Maroon-White game, and was listed as a starting defensive end on the Leopards' preseason depth chart.
"Jorge has had difficulty with injuries since arriving but is one of the most determined guys on the field," said Tavani. "After the kind of injuries he has had, some athletes might throw in the towel, but the only thing on his mind was getting back into shape. He has improved a lot from a year ago and we were very pleased with his performance on the field before his latest shoulder injury. Knowing Jorge, you will see him back in a few weeks."
A local standout from Allentown, Pa., Werrell came to Lafayette from Salisbury High School where he was an MVP and Scholar-Athlete. Werrell saw his action on the varsity level increase in his first three years, and returned an interception for a 65-yard touchdown run in the Maroon-White Spring Game in April.
"Jeff is an outstanding overall athlete," said Tavani. "He was one of our top receivers going into his sophomore year. Unfortunately, he landed wrong in practice one day and it resulted in a fractured collar bone. We moved him around a lot when he came back and he has stepped into a starting role as our strong safety this year. He's probably one of the best athletes on the team."
Tavani hopes his younger players look to this group of seniors for guidance in an effort to bring the Lafayette football program back to the top of the Patriot League. Counting on the attitude, effort and perseverance they have displayed since arriving at Lafayette, success on the field can't be far behind.
"All of these kids are leaders by example," added Tavani. "They practice like they play, 100 percent all the time."
