By Tyler Hartl ’24, staff writer
The fall 2023 athletic season marks the beginning of a whirlwind of change for the Dutchmen.
New athletic director, Patrick Ratke, was hired to replace former longtime athletic director Rick Beard ’90. In addition to the conference realignment to the MAC Freedom, the Dutchmen will see several new head coaches take over their programs, including. J.R. Drake after head football coach Joe Buehler ‘89 retired in the spring.
This season is an opportunity for the football team that has slowly ascended over the last three years as they reached post-season play for the first time since 2013 at the end of the 2022 season.
While only being picked to finish fifth in the 2023 MAC football coaches’ preseason poll, the Dutchmen have higher expectations for themselves.
“I definitely feel like a lot is different this year,” Erik Williams, football captain and senior safety, said. “It starts with Coach Drake being our new head coach. He’s done a great job. I think the team chemistry is outstanding and guys enjoy the company of each other too. I’d say too the fact that we have confidence and believe in our expectations have been different too. We have a lot of upperclassmen players who’ve had significant game experience, which has helped them lead other players and play with more confidence.”
Part of this confidence and team chemistry stems from the adversity faced on and off the field throughout the years.
With confidence and expectations comes pressure, which the team also feels is an opportunity.
Jake Marcus, a captain and senior defensive lineman, shared what goes through his mind during critical moments within a game.
“During high pressure situations, my mind is pretty clear,” Marcus said. “Having trust in my teammates is why it’s easy to think in these situations. I can focus on my job and my job only.”
This mindset, along with impeccable leadership, is what the Dutchmen hope will be their edge to help them overcome their opponents and accomplish their goal to claim the MAC title. It may be his first season as a captain, however, Williams knows being a captain is much more than an appointed position.
“The role of the captain is more than just going out for a coin toss,” Marcus said. “It’s being a leader every day, expressing positive emotion, and trying to uplift an entire team in a bad situation, whether that is a hot practice or a stressful situation in a game. Also being the line of communication for the team to the coaches and vice versa.”
Chemistry, commitment and resilience are evident themes of this season, and the Flying Dutchmen are ready to put them on display.