A successful 2019 season was capped with a successful night as the annual Lake Forest College football team banquet was held at the Great Wolf Lodge on Sunday, January 26. The night opened up with a brief introduction from Head Coach Jim Catanzaro and was followed up by parting words from each of the non-returning seniors. Senior speeches included wisdom to the underclassmen, favorite Lake Forest College football memories, and what the experience of being a 'Forester' meant to them.
The 2019 Most Valuable Player was awarded to senior defensive lineman Jordan McInerney. Jordan's senior campaign was one the best defensive performances by an individual inForester Football history. He set the single game records for sacks (5.5) and tackle for loss (6.5) vs. Lawrence University. Additionally, Jordan graduates holding the record of 55.5 career tackles for a loss. He was named the Midwest Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year for his efforts. He also collected: D3 1st Team All-West Region honors and was named to 3 different Division 3 All-American Teams- American Football Coaches Association (1st Team), Associated Press (2nd Team) and D3Football.com (2nd Team).
Sophomore offensive lineman Connor Cahill was voted the 2019 Most Improved Player. Connor anchored the offensive line from the center position in 2019. After not seeing much time his freshman year, he stepped in and replaced the teams 2018 team MVP at the center position.
This season's Rookie of the Year award went to freshman wide receiver/kick returner AJ Jackson. AJ rewrote the Forester record books as special teams performer and was the teams leading receiver for the season. During his freshman campaign, Jackson led all of Division 3 in both punt return average at 22.5 yards per return and combined kick return yards with 939. He also tied for a nation's best 3 punt returns for touchdowns and. For his special teams' performance, he received; First team All-North Division Returner, D3football.com 1st team All-West Region selection, and D3Football.com First Team All-American Honors. As a wide receiver, AJ had 45 catches for 805 with 8 touchdowns earning him First Team All-Conference honors at wide receiver.
The fifth annual Steve Little Memorial Award was given to two individual who embody the student-athlete that works the hardest for his academic accomplishments – striving for both academic and athletic achievement. This year's winners were senior linebacker Johnny Laponte and junior defensive back Jordan Briggs.
The sixth annual Tom Carr '70 Forester Community Engagement Award honors student-athletes who make an impact not only on the football field, but off the field in the College community as well. Individuals who receive this award should demonstrate consistent and significant leadership in the threefold spirit of the award: team engagement, campus involvement, and community service. The 2019 award winner was senior wide receiver Ted Crane. In addition to being a member fo the Forester Football program, Crane serves as a Peer Tutor, Captain of the College's Rugby Team, President of the Lake Forest College Transition Team, and a member of Peer to Peer/Best Buddies on campus.
The Benny Watters Scout Team Players of the Year (one for offense and one for defense) are given to players who show continual growth and leadership on the scout team. This season's offensive award winner was freshman offensive lineman Angel Sotelo. The 2019 defensive award winner was freshmen defensive back Dante Esposito.
The 2019 Coaches Award was presented to senior video coordinator Tucker Strang. Tucker has been a committed member of the football program for his entire college career at Lake Forest. His behind the scenes efforts brought the players, families, and Foresters Fans some of the best (and lasting) memories through his video creations. Each week his Friday night hype videos got the team fired up for the next opponent and his game recap highlight videos were the most anticipated agenda item every Monday afternoon at the weekly team meeting.
The Degnan Family were the recipients of the 2019 Gridiron Gang Award, given to a fan, supporter, or family that goes above and beyond to support Forester football. The Gridiron Gang as a whole puts tremendous effort into making the experiences of the players uniquely special, win or lose.
In 2012, the Forester Pride Award was created in recognition of the player that best embodies what a Forester football player should be – passionate, resilient, disciplined, and tough. This individual also cares about his teammates and his team's success far more than he cares about his own. Renamed the DJ Baker Forester Pride Award, this award now takes on additional meaning after the passing of defensive lineman DJ Baker. The winner of this award exhibits an infectious spirit that resonates with his teammates and engages people from any background to feel the warmth, love, and care that DJ shared with his teammates. This individual should also bring great energy and emotion to the program and most importantly, he must carry the torch of our program into the community both on campus and beyond. There is no greater honor in the Forester program. The 2019 DJ Baker Forester Pride Award was given to senior wide receiver Ted Crane
The Foresters also announced two of their team captains for the 2020 season as voted on by their teammates. Senior offensive lineman John Colasacco and Junior defensive lineman Jamari Tansmore were selected to lead the team.
List of Awards
MVP: Jordan McInerney
MIP: Connor Cahill
ROTY: AJ Jackson
Coaches Award: Tucker Strang
Gridiron Gang Award: The Degnan Family
Benny Watters Scout Team Offensive POTY: Angel Sotelo
Benny Watters Scout Team Defensive POTY: Dante Esposito
Tom Carr '70 Community Engagement Award: Ted Crane
Steve Little Memorial: Johnny Lapointe and Jordan Briggs
DJ Baker Forester Pride: Ted Crane
by Sam Mulford
