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College football

Former Springstead player is set for his college debut

Joseph Vitale and the Jacksonville University team open next week.

By VINCENT THOMAS
Published August 25, 2005

After sitting through a redshirt freshman season, 2004 Springstead graduate Joseph Vitale will take the field with his Jacksonville University teammates Sept. 1 for their opener against Southeastern Louisiana.

He is listed as the back-up to left guard David Locander, a Tampa Catholic graduate. "Outstanding," Springstead coach Bill Vonada said of Vitale. "We had him for four years over here, and we knew he was going to go there and be able to make things happen."

Vitale started at center all four years at Springstead, receiving first-team All-Gulf Coast Atlantic Conference recognition as a senior. Off the field, he was a member of the National Honors Society and Future Business Leaders of America. "He had the best work ethic whether it was in the weight room, on the football field or in the classroom," Vonada said.

Vitale continued his academic excellence at Jacksonville, earning a 4.0 GPA during his redshirt season. That impressed his new coach, Steve Gilbert.

"He's just a great kid - so intelligent. And very conscientious," Gilbert said. "He's the type of kid that you never have a problem with, and we're really excited about his continued development on the field."

Gilbert said he and Vitale agreed that the athlete redshirt his freshman year so he wouldn't waste a season of eligibility playing behind juniors and seniors. By sitting out his first year, Vitale was able to keep four seasons of athletic eligibility. "Heck, he could probably graduate in 31/2 years, but this way we can have him back for a fifth year," Gilbert said.

With only Locander ahead of Vitale on the depth chart, Gilbert said Vitale essentially is "one snap away" from getting on the field and that he should log substantial minutes this season.

The Jacksonville Dolphins play in NCAA Division I-AA.

All but three players on their 60-man roster hails from somewhere in Florida. Vitale is the only Hernando County athlete on the team.

[Last modified August 25, 2005, 00:52:33]