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Two Chartiers Valley senior football players signed with major colleges Wednesday, including one who will attend a Division I school.
Wayne Capers Jr., the versatile quarterback and defensive back, signed with the University of Arizona and could play in head coach Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense. Chartiers Valley Athletic Director Frank Vulcano Jr. did not know what position Capers might play, but said the signing was a big deal for the player and high school.
“Any time you get an athlete that signs a Division I offer, it’s a great honor,” Vulcano said.
Capers threw for 1,044 yards and rushed for another 330 in 2011, but missed extensive time the past two seasons with leg injuries. He is a four-year varsity letterman in both football and basketball, and was named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Fabulous 22 team this year.
Meanwhile, Niko Mamula committed to Dartmouth College in the Ivy League and hopes to play offensive line. Mamula, who played both sides of the line in high school, made the P-G’s Fabulous 22 in 2010, along with other awards.
“I was also considering Bucknell, William and Mary and New Hampshire, but after my visit to Dartmouth, I knew that’s where I wanted to be.” Niko said in a Chartiers Valley School District press release.
Chartiers Valley announced that Mamula is the first Colts football player to sign with an Ivy League school.
“We’ve had 50 players sign to play college football since I’ve been coach and Niko is the first Ivy Leaguer,” head coach Chris Saluga said in the press release. “I know he’ll represent us well because he’s a great kid and a great player.”
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Jen Kovach
2:56 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
That's awesome, but what about all those hard-working students who've been accepted to renowned universities (or who will be accepted over the next few months)? It always bothered me that CV was overly obsessed with the accomplishments of their athletes, whereas they rarely recognized students' academic feats.
Mike Jones
3:19 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Jen... I think the perfect place for that is in our "Announcements" section in which anyone can easily upload new and information. Whether it's making the dean's list, graduating from college, getting engaged or winning the Little League baseball championship, we want the community to get involved and post what's important to them. Here's the link to that section... http://chartiersvalley.patch.com/search/announcements
Jen Kovach
5:06 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Cool, Mike. I guess I was thinking more about the CVSD website along with newsletters that go out. Didn't mean anything negative toward you; sorry if it read that way. Keep doing what you're doing! You're okay in my book.
Mike Jones
5:12 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
I didn't take it that way at all. I'm just trying to point out to our readers that they can add their own news and info without having to go through the school district or newspaper. We're really trying to make this more community-oriented where every can participate. Thanks a lot for reading!