Tragedy of last year not lost on Quakers

As senior wide receiver Matt Carre prepares to take the field for the Quakers' season opener tomorrow, he will be focused on helping his team reverse the downward spiral of last season.

Although many of last year's deficiencies were simple to address, there is one absence he cannot account for - his teammate and friend Kyle Ambrogi.

The late running back had been struggling with depression despite success both on and off the field and ultimately decided to take his own life in October of last year.

Ambrogi's death came after both Kyle and his brother Greg had exemplary performances the previous weekend in a game against Bucknell.

Kyle scored two rushing touchdowns in the contest, while Greg, a defensive back, also reached the end zone on an interception return.

The abrupt death of the senior running back shocked the team, but the Red and Blue was able to rally from the tragedy with two decisive victories in the subsequent games.

However, the effects of losing Ambrogi as a teammate and companion quickly caught up with the Quakers, and the year culminated in four straight losses in the final games of last season.

"Physically and emotionally, [Ambrogi's death] took a lot out of the team," Carre said. "There were a lot of football reasons why we lost a lot of games last year, but that was definitely part of it."

The end-of-the-year drought resulted in a 3-4 conference record and a disappointing sixth-place Ivy League finish for the champions of two years prior.

But this season is about new beginnings and a transition to normalcy that has not been easy.

"We think about it a lot," sophomore quarterback Robert Irvin said. "But we try to go out there and play for him every week and just do what we normally do."

Ambrogi's younger brother Greg returns to the team this season, after seeing action in nine games last year.

The junior showed promise in those contests, as he ran back nine kicks for an average of 25.6 yards as a returner. On the defensive side of the ball, he recorded five tackles and a fumble recovery.

The team has been working hard to overcome the trauma of last year and the loss of graduated seniors, and will have its first real test of the season against Lafayette tomorrow.

The Red and Blue started off the year with a successful pre-season scrimmage against Widener, which could be a sign that an improved season is on the horizon.

And even though Ambrogi wasn't able to finish his senior season in his place on the field, he will certainly have a place in his teammates' thoughts as they embark on a fresh start of a new season.

"You never want to forget something like that," Carre said. "But it's always important to move on, and the football field is definitely the place where we can do that."

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