Yale, Harvard captains face their final game

When Jack Siedlecki was named the new head coach of the Yale football team in December 1996, he brought with him a new era of Yale football. Included in the change was a group of 35 incoming freshmen that knew nothing of the recent struggles of the team and came onto campus full of optimism and attitude. To contrast the modest expectations that had come to be the norm, "Belief Without Evidence" was the slogan employed by our new coaches heading into our inaugural season.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH

Indeed, ignorance has proven blissful. Despite a dismal 1-9 record that first year, it was clear to the Class of 2001 that success was in our near future. With stubborn determination we believed in each other and the coaching staff, and within two years we were sitting atop the Ivy League. Clearly, the expectations of the program had dramatically changed.

Prior to this season, the attitude among our now senior-laden team was that we expected to be 10-0. It was not arrogance nor hollow rhetoric, but confidence in each other that had been cultivated over the course of four long years together. Certainly teams lose, and yes, we have had our share of heartbreak this season. But that is what comes with success: increased expectations. When one expects perfection—as our team did prior to this year and does now as we prepare to defeat Harvard—disappointment is inevitable. However, what my teammates and coaches have taught me during this incredible ride is that true success lies in expecting the most from yourself and not being afraid to fail.

We have had tremendous success over the course of our four years, which was partly fueled by some outstanding individual careers. Eric Johnson, JE '01, will retire after this week's game against Harvard as the greatest receiver in Yale's 128-year history. The same could be said of Todd Tomich's, TC '01, many achievements as a record-breaking defensive back and punt returner. But I think the greatest factor in our success—and I know Eric and Todd would be the first to agree—is our winning attitude. There is a toughness on our team, a real toughness that is shown not in what we say, but in how we play the game. This team plays with every ounce of their collective heart, mind, and soul, which as captain makes me most proud.

I truly love this team. I love my teammates and the coaches because we have stuck by each other—much as a family does—since we arrived together in the fall of 1997. While we will not win back-to-back League titles, I feel that this senior class has given Yale football much more than 22 wins, over 10 All-Ivy performers, and an Ivy League Championship over the past three years. We have renewed Yale's long history of winning with our energy, commitment, and passion to excel. The history that was renewed four years ago will continue on Saturday and at the end of The Game you will be able to find the Class of 2001 the same way we came into Yale four years ago—together.

Linebacker Peter Mazza, JE '01, is the 123rd captain of the Yale football team.

Peter Mazza Career Highlights

Linebacker, 6'1", 225, Cheshire, Conn.

Tackles: 154 solo, 140 assisted, 294 total Career sacks/yards: 4/35 Will be a four-year letterman 1999 2nd team All-Ivy Team leader in tackles: 1998, 2000 67-yard interception return for TD vs. Valpo, '99

A lot of people have been asking me lately what The Game means to me, and there are so many ways to answer. I think the most prominent idea that I have about The Game is that it is the last time I will be suiting up in the Crimson and Gold and taking the field with my teammates. This is what I am truly going to miss the most, being able to suit up for practice day in and day out and play with my friends. Now they are not going to be around all the time, and things are going to change.

COURTESY IVY LEAGUE

For us seniors, it has been quite a trip. We came into a program on top with the 1997 championship, and that was an unbelievable year to be part of the team. The last two years have been somewhat disappointing to us, but we feel that we have turned it around this year. We seniors were on the team that won the championship, but we weren't really part of the victories. This is our year and we are leaving our stamp on the program. I am thankful for the quality, not quantity, of the seniors we have on the team. Our class has been depleted with injuries and quitting, but the 14 or 15 seniors that have stuck it out to this point deserve all the credit in the world, because they are truly great guys.

As far as The Game goes, it is going to be a mixture of emotions. As always in the past, it is going to be a hard-fought game that will go down to the wire. We are two evenly matched teams and we always provide for some excitement in the end. I look to this game to be no different.

I am looking forward to taking the field one last time in the home colors with a sold-out crowd and going to battle with Yale for the last time in my college career. It is amazing to be part of such a rivalry and to have such a sense of history for this one game, and no matter what is on the line it always takes the air of a championship-type game. That is what makes it so special.

That is what The Game makes me think of. It makes me appreciate the 120 or so guys in that Harvard locker room so much more because this is the last 60 minutes of football that I will be able to play with them. The rivalry makes it all the more special because The Game is going to be one to remember for many reasons beyond winning and losing.

Left tackle Michael Clare '01 is the 127th captain of the Harvard football team.

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