Honorary Captains Named for Spring Game

Rich Seubert (offense) and Jason Williams (defense) will be on the sidelines

MACOMB, Ill. – With the annual Bruce Craddock Memorial Spring Game just 10 days away, Western Illinois football announced the two Honorary Captains. A pair of former Leatherneck All-Americans, and NFL veterans, will represent the offense and defense.

Offensive lineman Rich Seubert (New York Giants) will serve as the Honorary Captain for the offense while linebacker Jason Williams (most recently Tampa Bay Buccaneers) will be on the defensive sideline.

"It'll be a lot of fun competing against each other, two former NFLers. They both have been great," said head coach Charlie Fisher, who estimates about 100 alumni returning for the weekend. "We have a lot of former players, and guys who played in the NFL, coming back. We're going to have a lot of fun with those two guys. Both of those guys are going to join us for golf. I would expect there might be some trash talk, some good fun leading into the game, there always is. I'm excited to meet both these guys."

Seubert began his career with the Giants in 2001 until his retirement in 2010. The highlight of his 10-year professional career came when the Giants knocked off the undefeated New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII.

"This is pretty cool, I'm looking forward to it. Coach Fisher called about a month ago and it is an honor," said Seubert. "Myself and the other guys I played with want the program to do well, and Coach Fisher said he wants to get us alumni back involved. From what I've heard there are a lot of guys coming back. I'm looking forward to seeing my buddies, seeing guys I played with and playing a couple rounds of golf. I'm excited for Coach Fisher and his staff, and seeing them get the program back to where it was, the winning tradition of Leatherneck Football."

Williams was a third round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys. He played for Dallas, Carolina, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay for six years. To date, Williams has played in 60 career NFL games with 64 tackles.

"Its very special (to be named Honorary Captain). I try to go back every April for the spring game as my schedule permits. It's good to see how far program has come since I've left. I'm extremely excited to come down here. It's great seeing Coach Fisher's involvement on this scale with football alumni," said Williams. "I respect him tremendously for what he's trying to do building the relationship with the football team and the alumni. It should be an amazing experience and I'm looking forward to be a part of it."

The weekend will start on Friday morning when alumni are getting together for a golf outing. A cook out will take place in Q-Lot prior to the 7 p.m. start of the spring game. Before the game, Fisher will begin a tradition of the alumni doing a handshake with the current players at midfield. Saturday will feature the program's annual golf outing.

"I'm looking forward to the game and the opportunity to connect with all the former players. I've got the upmost respect for our players from the past. We've got so many different decades being represented and coming back. I think that is what's really cool about the tradition here at Western. It really is a program with a lot a pride, deep roots and tradition," said the first year head coach. "You can see by these guys coming back, and I'm looking forward to meeting them all. As I said from the get go that was something that was important to me and I want to put action to my words. With the help of (football alum) Brian Spotts, and with what we're trying to do, we've got a lot of guys coming back at all ages… I've told them we're going to embrace you, we want you back, I want you to feel like you can always walk in these doors whether you graduated last year or 50 years ago, you can always walk in here and say hello."

Seubert, like Williams, mentioned Fisher's enthusiasm and how he is working to get the alumni involved and connected with the program.

"I played for Coach Ball and Coach Patterson. He (Fisher) is the first guy since then to get us involved and keep us in the loop. He has got lots of energy," said Seubert. "Western Illinois has a special place in my heart. I spent four years in Macomb and left blood, sweat and tears on the football field. It'll be fun to see the team compete Friday night. (The alumni gathering) You see other schools do it, and playing in the NFL you hear from other guys about their school doing it. It'll be a proud moment for us. Being a Leatherneck is something special."

Fisher noted the number of alumni and just how many standout players that have stepped onto Hanson Field.

"I've called so many of these guys over the last 6-8 weeks, it's a repeated theme. How much they love Western Illinois, how proud they are to be a Leatherneck, part of the great tradition of the Leatherneck Football program," said Fisher. "They made it easier for us who are here now. Those who came before always pave the way for those who come after. There's a lot of blood, sweat and tears on that field from these guys. When you step back and realize how many outstanding players played on Hanson Field it's unbelievable."

Updates on Leatherneck Football during its practices this spring can be found on Twitter (@WIUFootball) or online at www.GoLeathernecks.com. For ticket information on the upcoming 2016 campaign, call (309) 298-1190.

2016 Spring Schedule
Thursday, April 14 – 7:45 a.m.
Friday, April 15 – 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19 – 7:45 a.m.
Thursday, April 21 – 7:45 a.m.
Friday, April 22 – 7 p.m. Bruce Craddock Memorial Spring Game

All times central and subject to change.

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