Football

Manchester, N.H. (October 31) -- At a somber Grappone Stadium on Saturday morning, the Saint Anselm College community remembered Marine Captain Kyle Van De Giesen '02, a former Saint Anselm football quarterback who was killed earlier this week in Afghanistan while serving his country.

Prior to the opening of the pregame ceremony, the Nation's colors were presented by C Company, 1st Bn., 25th Infantry Unit based in Londonderry, New Hampshire.

Fr. John Fortin, former Saint Anselm football team chaplain, offered opening comments and remembered Kyle as someone who always longed to be a Marine pilot. Afterwards, he continued to reflect on Kyle and what he meant to Saint Anselm and to his country.

"They say the Marines are looking for a few good men and they found one in him," said Fr. John. "There was no question when you talked to him how focused he was and how determined he was. From the first time I met him, he talked about being a Marine pilot."

There was a then a Moment of Silence in honor of Van De Giesen, followed by a pregame prayer by Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., president of Saint Anselm College. DeFelice was flanked by friends and former teammates of Kyle as spoke to the Grappone Stadium crowd.

The ceremony was completed by the singing of the National Anthem by Saint Anselm alum, Andrea Crocker '08, followed by the retirement of colors by the Marine Color Guard.

Among those in attendance at the ceremony and on the Grappone Stadium field was former Saint Anselm director of athletics Ed Cannon, who was the director when the football program was reinstated in 1999 and knew Van De Giesen well.

"It was a special time in our history because we were bringing back football after 50 years," said Cannon. "We were very fortunate to have a young man guide us in those first two years by the name of Kyle Van De Giesen."

Additional photos from today's event (photos by Gil Talbot)

Saint Anselm captains head out for the coin toss, passing Van De Giesen's number 12.

Friends and former teammates of Van De Giesen stand on the field during the ceremony.

The Grappone Stadium field, painted with a red, white and blue ribbon, Van De Giesen's uniform number 12 and the Marine Corp motto "Semper Fi".

Saint Anselm alum Andrea Crocker '08 sings the National Anthem at Grappone Stadium.

C Company, 1st Bn., 25th Infantry, which presented the Nation's colors at the game.