WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Following a vote of all eligible players and the coaching staff, University of New Haven Head Football Coach Chris Pincince has named four captains for the 2024 season; Giye Jenkins (West Orange, N.J./Seton Hall Prep), John Thomas (Baltimore, Md./Dunbar), Joe Vitale (North Haven, Conn./North Haven) and Jack Quander (Gainsville, Va./Patriot).
The three defensive and one offensive players were among 29 total players to receive at least one vote among the ballots of current players and the coaching staff. Among the 29, nine players received 10 or more votes. Among the four selected, Quander will serve in the role for a second season after he was selected as one of three captains prior to the 2023 season.
A starter on the offensive line and first-team all-conference selection last season, Thomas leads a unit that was among the best in the nation in 2023, an O-Line that helped lead the Chargers to average 27.5 points per game which led the NE10, a total offense of 296.0 yards per game and a No. 30 in the nation ranking in passes intercepted, allowing just eight total on the year … As a unit, the Chargers O-Line allowed just 39 tackles for loss and nine sacks total on the year, with both of those numbers among the best in the nation.
An Associated Press All-American selection last season, Jenkins leads a trio of defensive players selected as captains. The NE10 Defensive Player of the Year, all-conference and all-region selection closed out the year with 57 tackles while leading the NE10 with five interceptions while his 0.5 interceptions per game average was 13th highest in all of NCAA Division II and he was 27th in the nation with his average of 1.2 passes defended per game.
The NE10 Defensive Lineman of the Year, Quander closed out last season with 39 tackles which included nine tackles for loss, second most on the team, resulting in 26 total yards. Among his nine TFL were 2.5 sacks while he also had a fumble recovery, an interception, five QB hurries and one pass breakup.
An NE10 All-Conference Second Team selection, Vitale finished 2023 third on the team with 58 tackles while leading the defense with 11 tackles for loss which racked up 65 yards while also leading the team with 5.5 of those TFL going for sacks that led to 34 yards. He also added a fumbe recovery, a QB hurry and two pass breakups.
WEEK 1 WHAT TO KNOW
When: Saturday, September 7 | 1:00 PM
Where: Bob DiSpirito Field at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium | Slippery Rock, Pa.
Tailgate Information: New Haven fans have a designated tailgate lot, Lot E. Parking in Lot E costs $10 on game day. Slippery Rock will provide golf cart shuttle transportation from Lot E to the visiting gate for anyone that can't or doesn't want to walk. Note that Slippery Rock is fully cashless for all parking, tickets and concessions. Slippery Rock Tailgate Policy: https://rockathletics.com/TailGatePolicy
Ticket Information: Visiting team seating is available as general admission seating behind the New Haven sideline. All general admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased prior to game day at https://rockathletics.com/tickets. Note that Slippery Rock is fully cashless for all parking, tickets and concessions.
How to Watch: The Rock Athletics Digital Network will provide a multi-camera stream of the game free of charge for all viewers. To watch the game visit: https://rockathletics.com/livestream
