Liepe proud to wear TCNJ’s blue and gold
When Gavin Liepe headed to Christopher Newport University for his freshman year, he decided to wait on declaring a major.
Then, as the year progressed, he realized the physical education field was what he wanted for his future.
The decision also brought a change to his football future as well.
CNU didn’t really offer the exact program Liepe was looking for, so he made the decision to transfer to The College of New Jersey.
A decision that not only made both Casey Goff, the TCNJ football coach, and Gavin happy, it was great news for the entire Liepe family.
Really, all Gavin is doing is continuing a family tradition.
His dad, Dave, was an All-America defensive end on the Lions’ Hall of Fame 1990 team that finished 9-1 and won the last five games by a score of 113-0.
Now the Liepe tradition of excellence in the Blue and Gold is going to flourish once again.
“I’m looking forward to living up to my last name,” Liepe said. “At the same time I want to bring back an NJAC title to TCNJ. My dad is just as excited as I am for the start of the season. He did tell me that the first time he sees me in a Lions uniform it could bring a tear to his eye.”
Gavin takes the field in blue and gold for the first tim on Friday night at FDUFlorham for TCNJ’s season opener at 7 p.m. in Madison.
“He gave his all to this program,” Liepe said. “I look to do not different.”
Liepe, a sophomore, will line up at linebackerfor the Lions after playing mostly as a stand-up defensive end at CNU, where he recorded 13 tackles in 2017.
“Practice has been going well,” Liepe said. “There was some time learning an entire new defensive scheme as well as adjusting back to playing a true linebacker position that I played in high school (Holy Spirit).”
Not just on the football field, but in the classroom, too, TCNJ has been a perfect fit.
“Since I arrived at TCNJ it has been everything I hoped for,” Liepe said. “It has taken some time to adjust to the high level of academics as well as being accepted by the guys on the team, as the ‘transfer from CNU.’”
The Lions won a thriller at CNU, 21-19, last season when the Captains missed a two-point conversion with two seconds on the clock.
This season CNU, an NJAC rival, will be coming to Lions Stadium on Nov. 3 and no doubt Liepe will be anxiously awaiting his former school’s arrival.
Always a player who is looking to learn, absorb and contribute, Liepe has been leaning on veterans Max Busca and Jesse Streb.
The veterans, the alumni and the Hall of Fame picture in Packer Hall of his dad’s 1990 team will all be a great help, too
“It is definitely extremely special to be playing and going to school at the same place as my father did,” Liepe said. “I have had numerous football alumni, like Greg Bellotti and Darren Doss reach out to me and let me know they are supporting me, but also to let me know the huge shoes I have to fill.”
It is a challenge he’s looking forward to.
“The support system here and the legacy behind this program is awesome,” Liepe said. “I also get a little extra motivation every day walking the halls of Packer seeing the picture that my dad is in. It just feels great to know that he went through everything that I am, so when it comes to advice I only get the best.”