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President Stops In, Captains Named
8/20/2024 2:13:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – It is not common for a university's president to join the football team at practice, especially on a crisp August morning. But Tuesday morning ended with Florida Atlantic University President Stacy Volnick, a three-time FAU alum, joining the team.
President Volnick addressed the team, spoke of its importance to the University, and was part of the team closing breakdown, yelling "FAMILY" on three.
While President Volnick ended the practice, the day began with the announcement of team captains, as voted upon by the team. The 2024 captains are Jackson Ambush, Cam Fancher, Federico Maranges, and Jayden Williams.
Ambush, a graduate student and middle linebacker from New Market, Maryland, led the Owls in total tackles with 89 a year ago after transferring from Albany (NY).
Cam Fancher, a redshirt junior quarterback from Huber Heights, Ohio, transferred to Florida Atlantic from Marshall in January and has worked hard to secure the starting quarterback job.
Maranges, a graduate offensive lineman from Dorado, Puerto Rico, came to FAU as a true freshman in 2019 and has seen playing time ever since, starting every game in 2023 as the Owls' center. Maranges served as a team captain a year ago and is entering an unprecedented fourth term as the FAU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's President. He holds dual degrees in Neuro and Behavior Science and is currently pursuing a master's degree with the goal of med school.
Williams, a redshirt junior defensive back from Tampa, Florida, rounds out the quartet. The versatile player has played corner, nickel, and safety while at FAU. He has played in 23 games as an Owl and accumulated 85 tackles, including 34 in an injury-shortened 2023 season.
VIDEO RECAP
QUOTABLE
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom HermanOn having the Florida Atlantic University president Stacy Volnick attending practice.
"President Volnick and myself have had a great relationship since I have been here…I told the team something I feel about her; She has been here for over 30 years. She has three degrees from FAU. If you find somebody more passionate about this university as a whole, I'd like to meet them, because I haven't. President Volnick has been great for us and this program. She understands the value of athletics from a campus perspective and the benefits of having an elite athletics department. She and the leadership team on campus were a big reason why we came here. As I have said before, players and coaches win games, administrations truly push you over the top to give you that extra whatever it takes to win championships. It was great to have her out at practice to show support to the team."
On the team captains
"It's always an honor to name the captains. I think this year, maybe more than others, the competition was so fierce. We picked four; [it's] pretty standard, but there was a bit of a gap between four and five in terms of voting. I don't think anyone was surprised by Federico, Jackson, Jayden, and Cam being named captains. I do think Daedae Hill was right there, Jaden Wheeler was right there, Nick Marino was right there, C.J. Campbell was right there, Zeke Moore as a true sophomore got a lot of votes. It felt good to know that those four guys kind of separated themselves but also that we have a group right under them so to speak that does a tremendous job of leading and it has obviously affected a lot of people on this team for them to garner the amount of votes that they did. I was really happy. I reached out to those four guys' parents and let them know that their teammates voted them as captain and how proud they should be. But with that comes a responsibility in that program. Those guys are held to the highest of standards. There's a microscope on you."
On having a mix between homegrown and transfer captains
"I've been pleasantly surprised by the immediate assimilation that some of these new guys had. It certainly helps you when you come in January, and you go through the struggles of winter conditioning and spring practice and all that; you've been through the crucible a little bit. I think it's a great representation of our team too. You have guys like Fed and Jayden Williams that have been here for a while. It is kind of nice to have that representation of two [transfers], one just got here in January, one got here last year, and so they kind of know what it's like for those other 40 guys that are in their shoes. I think it's important for those guys to show that you can come in as an outsider to a fairly formed family and make a difference. It's been fun to watch how quickly those guys have become bonafide leaders on the team."
HIGHLIGHTS
- From the +40, Quarterback Kasen Weisman found receiver Marlyn Johnson in the end zone while QB Cam Fancher connected with a wide-open wide receiver Jabari Smith, who walked into the end zone. Smith's number would be the target once more by quarterback Tyriq Starks
- Fancher hit WR Dominique Henry, who beat his defender and raced down the sideline for the score
- Weisman and senior wide receiver Milan Tucker were another duo to pick up a big gain
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.TOUCHDOWN IN THE TROPICS
Get ready for a night of tropical elegance at "Touchdown in the Tropics" to support the upcoming Florida Atlantic University football season and its student-athletes. Join us at the Schmidt Family Complex on FAU's campus on August 22, 2024, from 6-9 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Indulge in amazing food, enjoy live music, and hear from Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman. This tropical casual affair promises a fun and unforgettable evening as we kick off the season in paradise with your hometown team. All proceeds from this event directly benefit our FAU football student-athletes. For more information, click HERE. For questions, please contact Griffin Kinney at griffin@thelinku.com or call 740-816-7353.ON SOCIAL
Your Owls 2024 Captains & Leadership Council👏#TriCountyTakeover#WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/s1KOfhXzIc
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) August 20, 2024
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Florida Atlantic's football home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 7, at FAU Stadium versus Army West Point. The Owls will celebrate Military Appreciation Day as the Black Knights come to Boca Raton. For more information, click HERE.PHOTO GALLERY
SEASON TICKETS
2024 season tickets are available for as low as $75. To purchase season tickets, click HERE.Recent alumni and Florida Atlantic faculty/staff can access discounted season tickets as low as $50. To learn more, submit your info HERE or visit HERE to make a purchase today.
VIP group experiences with discounted tickets are available now, including pre- and post-game field access, halftime team tunnels, fundraising opportunities, and more. If you have a group of 15 or more who are interested, sign up HERE.
FAU Alumni and Community Engagement will host two away events. The first is October 19th, when the Owls travel to San Antonio to face host UTSA. The second will be before the November 16th game versus Temple in Philadelphia. For more information, email alumni.affairs@fau.edu.
INSIDE THE OWLS BURROW
Inside the Owls Burrow enters its ninth season. The show originates on Bally Sports Florida but can be viewed on fausports.com and YouTube. Episode 2 airs this week on Bally Sports Florida on Thursday, Aug. 22nd at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 24, at 11:30 a.m.This week Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman wraps up training camp and reveals the 2024 team's four captains. Cornerback "Buggs" Kahzir Brown is featured, wide receiver Milan Tucker is "Wired For Sound," plus the show will go inside a team meeting with guest speaker, former NFL quarterback Danny Kanell.
Inside the Owls Burrow also includes an update on defensive back Courtney Lamas-Lanier, a summer recipient of the Wilma Rudolph Award. The award is bestowed to student-athletes who have overcome great personal, academic, or emotional odds to continue their aspirations as a collegiate student-athlete.
BROADCAST
Television outlets are listed on the schedule page. Wire-to-wire radio coverage will air on Fox Sports South Florida 640 AM. Ken LaVicka and FAU alum Chris Newbold will have the call, while Mike Mreczko will host the pre and post-game with added on-field coverage by FAU and long-time South Florida television personality Frank Forte. To listen live, click HERE.FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.Players Mentioned
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