Nov. 5, 2007
EASTON, Pa. - The 2008 senior class will not leave College Hill until May, but will leave Fisher Stadium today playing in its final regular-season home game. For the past four years, these individuals have brought the Leopard fans three Patriot League championships, three victories in the Lafayette-Lehigh football game and countless other memorable moments.
Head coach Frank Tavani and the Lafayette coaching staff will say farewell to the leadership provided by the 20 members of this year's senior class. The group includes 12 starters and co-captains Marcel Quarterman and Kyle Sprenkle.
Each player has provided fans with highlights over the past several seasons, many of which have occurred in their final stint with the Leopards. To list them all would be a daunting task, but highlights from this 2007 campaign have included record-breaking moments, national recognition and Patriot League accolades, all with the most anticipated game still to be played.
Several members of the senior class were asked to look back on their careers and talk about the memories that had a lasting impact. Below are their answers, some serious, some poignant and some refreshingly honest.
What was your "Welcome to Lafayette Football" moment?
"My `Welcome to Lafayette Football' moment was when former defensive line coach Antoine Smith made the defensive line bear crawl the width of the field numerous times after practice--and seeing (Greg) Lippert almost die doing it." - Defensive lineman and co-captain Kyle Sprenkle
"Probably when I was handed my first playbook and was completely overwhelmed. In high school, we had about five plays and I honestly thought I would never understand what was going on." - Tailback Anthony D'Urso
"My `Welcome to Lafayette Football' moment was the first day when the camp itinerary was given out. I just looked at it and thought `wow, this is no joke.'" - Offensive lineman Charles O'Mara
"My moment came during the first week of camp. When you get here, you're just one of the guys. There was close to 100 of us so you get lost in the shuffle, but seeing my picture in the Express-Times with the "L" on the side of my helmet really made me feel like I belonged." - Tailback Brandon Mitchell
"My `Welcome to Lafayette football' moment came during our summer conditioning test when camp started. I was very nervous because I had never had to perform a run test before and realized that I didn't train as hard as I should have over the summer." - Defensive back Ryan Williams
"My `Welcome to Lafayette Football' moment was the first practice of summer camp my freshman year. We did so many drills and ran so much. I had never run that much at a football practice before. I was tired and sore and we hadn't even put on pads yet. From then on, I knew what college football was about." - Defensive back and co-captain Marcel Quarterman
What is the best piece of advice a Lafayette coach has given you?
"The measure of one's effort is a player's distance from the ball at the end of the play." - Linebacker Mark Plumby
"Coach Faragalli says that no matter what happens, always have fun playing the game of football because you only have so many games you will play in your career." - Offensive lineman Jesse Padilla
"`Pride. Purpose. Passion.' Not only can I use this advice on the field but also in life." - Kyle Sprenkle
"The best piece of advice I received was from Coach Loose. He told us `you don't play for the coaches or the fans or for yourself. You play for each other. When it all comes down to it, you play each snap for each other.' It's something he says a lot but it stuck with me on a personal level." - Marcel Quarterman
"Coach Tavani has preached to show up everyday with pride, purpose and passion. This is meaningful in sports and in life." - Anthony D'Urso
"Our former running backs coach, John Troxell, would always say, `Give your all on every play because you never know who is watching.' I feel that is also relevant in real life. On a job, people will evaluate you on your performance day in and day out, so if you let your guard down for one second, you might miss a big opportunity." - Brandon Mitchell
"I remember Coach Tavani saying that life is like a football--sometimes it doesn't bounce in your direction but you have to adjust and accept what happened and try to make the best of your opportunities because they might not ever come back." - Ryan Williams
"Things won't always go your way but it's how you overcome those challenges that define who are you are." - Greg Lippert
What will you miss most about playing football at Lafayette?
"A whole lot of things: being around a great group of guys, pumping iron together, handshakes, linebacker meetings, the Bourger Football House and Saturdays. But not morning runs." - Mark Plumby
"I will miss the fun times spent off the field relaxing and getting to know my teammates. We've all grown pretty close over the past four years." - Ryan Williams
"The thing I will miss most is strapping it up with my 95 other brothers and the extreme atmosphere at the Lafayette-Lehigh rival games." - Kyle Sprenkle
"Hanging out in offensive line meetings and busting chops with all the guys." - Jesse Padilla
"I will miss being a part of a team. Strapping up the pads on gamedays and going to battle with a great group of guys. I will also miss everything the competitive aspect that has been a part of my life for so long." - Anthony D'Urso
"The thing I'll miss the most is just hanging out during down time with my teammates." - Charles O'Mara
"The thing I will miss most is my teammates. They made this experience a great one for me. I wouldn't ask for a different bunch of guys to share four years with. We have all had our struggles and glories and we have experienced them together. We have a bond that can never be forgotten." - Marcel Quarterman
"I will miss all the time that is spent with my teammates and the camaraderie that comes along with that." - Greg Lippert
"I will definitely miss the time I get to spend with the team. You create tight relationships with so many people on the team that you otherwise wouldn't have made, and those relationships have made my experience at Lafayette so much better. I'm glad I'm able to hang out with 90 other guys who share a common goal that ultimately binds us so tightly together." - Brandon Mitchell
