Seniors Make a Lasting Impact
Nov 22, 2019 | Football
NEW ORLEANS – A lot has changed since the seniors on the football team arrived on Tulane University's campus. In their first season with the Green Wave, the group saw a 4-8 season. They have improved every season including winning the 2018 Cure Bowl.
"Everyone wants to win here, from walk-ons to coaches," senior Keyshawn McCleod said. "It's just winning coaching. Coach Fritz is a winning coach. Credit goes to the coaching staff. Those guys put in the work for the kids."
The mentality has changed as well. When they arrived, the Green Wave had been to one bowl game in 14 seasons and hadn't won a bowl game since 2002. They are now bowl-eligible for the second straight season and could win back-to-back bowls for the first time in program history.
It has not been only football for this group though. The seniors have received an education in the classroom and in their own lives.
"I would describe it as a learning experience and really, as people say, some of the best years of my life," senior P.J. Hall said. "I have met some of my best friends here that I know I will know for the rest of my life. I got to play football, so I mean I do not really have any complaints about my time here at Tulane."
The hard work the 2019 seniors have put in has raised the bar and set a new standard for the program as they leave.
"I really think they established some accountability in the program," junior Cameron Sample said. "They hold guys accountable and make sure everyone is on top of their stuff. They are leaders on and off the field."
The impact this group has had on Tulane reaches further than the lines on the field.
"I have a senior in front of me at my position and I love the seniors that are around right now," junior Tirise Barge said. "I take this time to focus and get all the intel and information that I need from them. I've learned a lot from Will Harper, and I hope to be able to carry that into next year."
These guys have also made some of the best memories of their lives.
"My greatest memory individually is the ECU game. That was my first big game last year and my first interception," Hall said. "As a team, it was definitely going to the bowl game and being able to spend time with everybody on that trip to Universal Studios."
The seniors have taken the Tulane football program to new heights. They were given a program and they have left it in a better place. This group wants those who come after them to build on what they have accomplished.
"They should come mentality prepared," senior Darnell Mooney said. "It is all mental and you have to have a strong mindset."
McCleod reiterated this sentiment.
"Just stick with the program," McCleod said. "You are going to have some ups and downs, but it is all going to get better and play out for you."
The 2019 seniors will play their final game at Yulman Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, against UCF. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
"Everyone wants to win here, from walk-ons to coaches," senior Keyshawn McCleod said. "It's just winning coaching. Coach Fritz is a winning coach. Credit goes to the coaching staff. Those guys put in the work for the kids."
The mentality has changed as well. When they arrived, the Green Wave had been to one bowl game in 14 seasons and hadn't won a bowl game since 2002. They are now bowl-eligible for the second straight season and could win back-to-back bowls for the first time in program history.
It has not been only football for this group though. The seniors have received an education in the classroom and in their own lives.
"I would describe it as a learning experience and really, as people say, some of the best years of my life," senior P.J. Hall said. "I have met some of my best friends here that I know I will know for the rest of my life. I got to play football, so I mean I do not really have any complaints about my time here at Tulane."
The hard work the 2019 seniors have put in has raised the bar and set a new standard for the program as they leave.
"I really think they established some accountability in the program," junior Cameron Sample said. "They hold guys accountable and make sure everyone is on top of their stuff. They are leaders on and off the field."
The impact this group has had on Tulane reaches further than the lines on the field.
"I have a senior in front of me at my position and I love the seniors that are around right now," junior Tirise Barge said. "I take this time to focus and get all the intel and information that I need from them. I've learned a lot from Will Harper, and I hope to be able to carry that into next year."
These guys have also made some of the best memories of their lives.
"My greatest memory individually is the ECU game. That was my first big game last year and my first interception," Hall said. "As a team, it was definitely going to the bowl game and being able to spend time with everybody on that trip to Universal Studios."
The seniors have taken the Tulane football program to new heights. They were given a program and they have left it in a better place. This group wants those who come after them to build on what they have accomplished.
"They should come mentality prepared," senior Darnell Mooney said. "It is all mental and you have to have a strong mindset."
McCleod reiterated this sentiment.
"Just stick with the program," McCleod said. "You are going to have some ups and downs, but it is all going to get better and play out for you."
The 2019 seniors will play their final game at Yulman Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, against UCF. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
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