Connolly, Finnerty & Lovelace

2004 Clarion University Football Team Captains Announced

            The 2004 Clarion University football team announced today that seniors Tim Connolly, Sean Finnerty and Glenn Lovelace will be this year’s captains.

            Clarion opens the season on Saturday, August 28^th as the Golden Eagles host West Chester at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6pm and tickets will be available at the door.

            “These three players will be excellent captains this season,” said eleventh year head coach Malen Luke. “They have the motivational qualities, playing maturity and ability to handle this important job.”

            Connolly, a 6-0, 290-pound, senior, noseguard from Schwenksville, Pa. and Perkiomen Valley High, has been a fixture throughout his career on the defensive line. Last year, at defensive tackle, Tim posted 44 tackles, (17 solo), 10 tfl’s for -34 yards and 4 sacks for -26 yards. He had 2 sacks and an interception at Glenville in his top game. In 2002 he was a second team PSAC-West choice when he collected 46 hits, 11 tfl’s for -28 yards and 4 sacks for -13 yards. He also caused 2 fumbles and blocked 4 kicks. In his career he has 104 stops, 24 tfl’s for -69 yards, 10 sacks for -44 yards, 3 fumbles caused and recovered and 5 blocked kicks. A Secondary Ed. Major, Tim is the son of Joan Connolly.

            Finnerty, a 6-5, 280-pound, senior, offensive guard from Akron, Ohio and St. Vincent/St. Mary High, enters 2004 as a 2-year starter and 3-year letterman. A leader of the offensive line who possesses quality run and pass blocking skills, he is a very dedicated player who has battled through some injuries, but appears to be ready for his best season. A PSAC and Clarion “Scholar Athlete”, Finnerty is a Secondary Education - Social Studies major, Sean is the son of James Finnerty.

            Lovelace, a 6-1, 185-pound, senior, running back from Leechburg, Pa. and Leechburg High, has been a three year starter in the Clarion backfield. A tough and physical player with outstanding athletic skills, Lovelace has toted the pigskin 184 times in his career totaling 1,079 yards and 7 td’s. He averages 5.9 yards per carry, while also grabbing 17 passes for 254 yards and 1 td. Last year he rushed for 269 yards on 62 tries. In 2002 he rushed for 358 yards and 4 td’s on 40 carries (8.9 p/c) and 452 yards and 3 td’s on 82 carries in 2001. Glenn is a Computer Information Science major at Clarion and the son of Lucille Lovelace.

            “We know that Tim, Sean and Glenn understand the responsibilities of being captain and know they will be great leaders for our football team in 2004,” added Luke.

            CLARION NOTES: Clarion is coming off a 3-8 season in 2003, but won their final two games of the season over Lock Haven and Slippery Rock, and are hoping to use that as a springboard into 2004. Malen Luke begins his 11^th season at Clarion with an overall record of 51-58… The golden Eagles have won the PSAC-West under Luke in 1996 and 2000.