Columbia University Athletics / David Collins
Soccer
Preparation for the 2022 season officially began with Columbia’s first football practice of the season at Robert F. Kraft Field.
NEW YORK – Training camp has begun for Columbia’s football program, which completed its first official practice on Saturday as it prepares for the 2022 season. The Lions began the first of 24 sessions before the season opener. season against the Marists on Saturday September 17.
“It’s always exciting to start the summer,” said head football coach Patricia and Shepard Alexander. Al-Bagnoli. “It’s a fun time for us as we see what the next wave of kids coming in will bring to the team.
“We’re certainly a lot further along than last year when you look at what we’ve had to go through with us not being able to have spring training or off-season training, it meant that from day one, the year last was the first time we had a chance to work with most of the players.
“I’m happy with where we are because we have talented kids in the team and our job is to build them day by day and get where we need to go.”
Columbia is 7-3 and 4-3 overall in the Ivy League. The Lions also finished with a winning record for the third time in the past four seasons for the first time since 1945-48.
Highlighting returning players on offense are a pair of All-Ivy League winners in junior quarterback green joe and senior running back Ryan Young. Green was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year after passing for 1,590 yards and 10 touchdowns with just three interceptions. Young, who earned second-team honors after a stellar junior season, rushed for 551 yards, averaging 3.9 per carry. Additionally, he found the end zone four times (three running, one receiving).
Columbia’s top tackler as of 2021 Scott Valentas is back to anchor the defense. The two-time All-Ivy League selection posted 56 tackles from linebacker. Also back is linebacker CJ Brown (26 tackles in eight games in 2021), who recently earned Phil Steele Preseason All-Ivy League honors and defensive back. Bryan Bell Anderson (six pass breakups in 2021).
After road competition against the Red Foxes and Georgetown, Columbia begins its home roster on Saturday, October 1 when it hosts Princeton at Robert K. Kraft Field for its Ivy League debut.
Season and single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.gocolumbialions.com/tickets or calling 888-LIONS-11.
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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