DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University football team has selected four captains for the 2014 season, first-year head coach Rick Fox announced Tuesday, May 13. Serving as captains and the team's leaders on and off the field for the upcoming season will be John Hugunin (Oswego, Ill.), Troy Whitmer (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Matt Acree (Shawnee, Kan.) and Brett Park (Olivette, Mo.).
“These four guys are what Drake football is all about, on and off the field,” Fox said. “Their priorities in life, the passion in which they play the game and the their concern for their teammates and others represents who we are. That is why our team selected them as captains and why they will be great leaders for us.”
Whitmer, a fifth-year senior anchors the offensive line and started all 11 games last season at center and earned second team All-Pioneer Football League honors. The team's three other captains hail from the defensive side of the ball.
Acree and Park are starters on the defensive line. The fifth-year seniors helped the unit to rank fifth in the nation in rushing defense last season at 94.9 rushing yards allowed per game. Hugunin, a senior linebacker, led the team in tackles last season with 113 to rank 13th nationally in stops to earn first team All-PFL honors.
“They exemplify what a Drake football player is and as captains that becomes even more important to the team, our coaching staff and our fans,” Fox added. “They represent the players to the coaches and the coaches to the players. In many ways, they are the face of Drake football for this season.”
The four captains will lead the Bulldogs into the 2014 season on Aug. 30 when they host Grand View at 6 p.m. The home opener is one of six home contests at Drake Stadium in 2014.
