2013 North Park Football Roster
2013 North Park Football Schedule

What makes a successful college football program? Is it a history of success? A history of solid student-athletes and coaches? A solid alumni background? All those aspects are key ingredients to success, but what truly makes a program rise above the rest is having a group of coaches and young men believe in a philosophy that works.

The North Park University Vikings have been through their share of trials and tribulations over the years, having seen records broken both positively and negatively, but there's something different about the upcoming 2013 season. They have a philosophy and a foundation to build upon.

"People are excited because we've got something we haven't had here in a while and that's hope. But we also know that this doesn't turn around overnight," said first-year head coach Mike Conway. "The foundational principles we are working on are still in the developmental stages. It's not something that just happens. With that said however, I'm really happy with the change in attitude and the new-found enthusiasm of our players. I'm excited about the kids we've got coming in and I'm really excited about our coaching staff. I think there are a lot of people on campus that are excited for the first time in a long while."

Since his arrival, Coach Conway has been laying the groundwork into a program that is looking to change its identity to become a contender not only on the local scene, but in the national spotlight as well.

"Our goal this year is to change the attitude and the culture, and I think we've already done that to a degree," he said. "But that's just the first part. The next thing we want to build on is the foundation, a foundation of principles that are indirectly related to football, but are very important to the development of our young men."

In the grand scheme of Conway's philosophy, football is only a small part of the foundation. But when it translates to the field, all facets of the game will bring success to the program.

"The first thing we're focusing on is building character, which is something we've been stressing since we arrived here. The second is providing strong leadership models and enabling opportunities to enhance leadership opportunities," Conway said. "The third is the spiritual component to the program. I recognize the responsibility that coaches have as far as being in the position of power and authority over young men, and it's a responsibility that we as coaches need to take very seriously. So if we focus on these three principles, the other things that directly relate to football like accountability, discipline and commitment, will fall into place."

This year's team isn't interested in preseason polls, national rankings or any other preseason recognitions. Their focus is mainly on improving every Saturday.

"If we do that, and earn something we don't have, then we'll earn respect and our seniors will be proud to be part of our foundational class," Conway said. "We're going to play every game to win, no matter what who it is. This is a new program with new coaches and new players basically. The players that were here the last three or four years have re-invented themselves too, which is exciting. It's great to see them just evolve into a group of confident young men."

Returning this year is a solid core of 16 seniors led by Tyler Krebs and Chris Broadway, both of whom were key components to the squad last season. Before sustaining a slight injury, Krebs started the first four games at the quarterback position and ranked second on the team in rushing yards with 505. He also had a team third-best 536 all-purpose yards, including a team-best 354 yards passing. But Krebs will move into a different position this year.

"He'll be our slot receiver and he's looked terrific. He's definitely got the talent and skill to play that position, but more so he's got those intangibles that we like," Conway said. "He's led the football team and has been through the tough times and hopefully the good times now, but we have him in the position where he can contribute and be a leader. He's going to play a big role in our offense."

As one of the top slot backs on the squad last season, Broadway started in all 10 games and ranked fourth in total rushing yards with 241. He also garnered a team third-best 140 yards receiving, which included a season-high 40 yards on two catches in Week 3 against Olivet College.

"Chris is a dynamic, multi-talented guy who can make us much more versatile as an offense. He's a big strong, athletic kid who will give us a lot of options offensively," Conway said.

"Two other guys in the senior class who we're looking to have big years as well are John Barnabee and Nick Weinstein. We're counting on John to have an outstanding senior year. Nick will be at the outside receiver position. He hasn't had a lot of playing time in the offense he was previously in but he's going to have a key role this year."

Along with those guys, Conway is expecting big things from his own kin in sons T. D. Conway and Dakota Conway. T.D., who is a freshman at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, will lead the team at the quarterback position while Dakota will light up the offense at the wide receiver post.

"They are going to help as a supporting cast to this group of seniors and returners," Conway said. "T.D.'s a big strong guy with a big league arm. We're hoping that he learns quickly, and I think he's got a really good demeanor and attitude about things. I really hope he leads our team. Both T.D. and Dakota have already made an impact on our team in a lot of different ways and they're going to be solid contributors."

Defensively, Conway is adapting a new scheme as well and is looking to seniors Zach Bates, Taylor Simental and Zach Greco as well junior Brian Palmer and sophomore Matt Leibforth to lead the charge.

"Some of these guys hadn't played defense before, but they changed over and haven't missed a beat," Conway said. "A lot of the guys we have are leaders, and are good kids. They've gone through the frustrations, but continue to play hard."

Special teams will be led once again by John Gieseking, who had a sensational freshman season as the Vikings punter. Gieseking led the team with 1,599 yards punting and averaged 34 yards per punt. He also had eight punts land inside the 20-yard line and two touchbacks.

"John will see more time as our placekicker as well this year," Conway said. "He didn't get much time as the kicker last year because he was behind a senior, but John will do a tremendous job for us on special teams."

The Vikings open the season with three reputable opponents in Hope College (Sept. 7), Benedictine University (Sept. 14) and Olivet College (Sept. 28) before taking a rigorous College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin schedule.

"I don't want to make predictions because all we do is prepare our team to put them in a position to win. I'm planning on this team being very sound in every facet, but as coaches we need to help our kids carry out that plan," Conway said. "That's the challenge of any successful program. We have a plan, and we feel preparation and organization are key components to any level of success. With that said, we are going to concentrate on each game at a time. I am not one that looks down the road. I am not one that looks down the pipe very far, and we're certainly not going to look behind us or in the past. If the game is over, it's over and we learn from it. Resilience is something that's going to be part of our everyday vocabulary."