Sept. 3, 2002
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EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette football team has named seniors Chris Partridge (Paramus, N.J./Paramus Catholic) and Chris Royle (Stockton, N.J./Hunterdon Central) its 2002 team captains as selected by their teammates and coaching staff.
"I think they both will prove to be excellent captains," said third-year Leopards' head coach Frank Tavani. "They are two very strong leaders who will be excellent role models for the entire team on and off the field."
A Government and Law major, Partridge is the Leopards' most experienced linebacker. He enters the 2002 season with 72 career tackles after battling through an ACL tear suffered during the third game of the 2000 season. He had started each of the three contests he played in during the 2000 season and led the team with 25 total tackles before the injury. Slated as the starting middle linebacker heading into the Leopards' season opener, Partridge recorded 45 tackles last season while playing in nine contests.
An Electrical and Computer Engineering major and an EXCEL Scholar at Lafayette, Royle is a two-time All-Patriot League selection who earned a spot on both The Sports Network and Lindy's 2002 preseason All-America squads. The Leopards' starting center the past 27 straight contests, he has been a mainstay on an offensive line that has helped the Leopards lead the Patriot League in passing offense the past two seasons. His leadership in the trenches helped Lafayette lead the Patriot League in sacks allows last season (11), edging the other seven conference members by at least five.
Lafayette opens its 121st season with three straight home games starting with Monmouth on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. The Leopards' 2002 schedule features six home contests in all, including Patriot League opponents Towson, Holy Cross and Lehigh.
