Four individuals with four different leadership styles have been named captains for the 2019 Valparaiso University football team.

Head coach Landon Fox has announced that redshirt junior quarterback Jimmy Seewald (Livonia, Mich. / Divine Child), fifth-year senior linebacker Nick Turner (Gurnee, Ill. / Warren Township), senior defensive back Jamari Booker (Kentwood, Mich. / East Kentwood) and fifth-year senior offensive lineman Jack Jarnigan (Los Gatos, Calif. / Los Gatos) have been selected as team captains.

Seewald is in his second season as a captain and enters the year ranked fifth in program history in career passing yards with 4,491. He compiled 2,602 passing yards – the fourth most in a single season in program history – during the 2017 campaign.

“Jimmy is a great leader who invests his time in his teammates,” Fox said. “He operates behind the scenes to do everything he can to help lead his teammates in the right direction. He cares deeply about Valpo football and is fully invested.”

Turner is also a second-year captain at the middle linebacker position. The 2017 All-Pioneer Football League second-team honoree finished the 2017 campaign with 101 tackles, one of four players in the PFL to exceed the 100-tackle mark.

“It’s hard to find someone who is a better leader than Nick Turner,” Fox said. “He enjoys being a part of our football team each day. He loves to practice and is fun to be around. Nick makes a positive contribution to our team’s energy and enthusiasm on a daily basis.”

After being named a Preseason All-PFL choice, Booker has assumed captain responsibilities for this season. He had a breakout year in 2018, accruing 91 tackles while starting all 11 games. Booker turned in a 20-tackle performance on Sept. 29 of last season against Davidson.

“Jamari is a go-getter; he’s a football player,” Fox said. “He’s the type of player who leads by example. He’s a tough young man and will serve as an important leader in our secondary.”

Also in his first year as a captain is Jarnigan, who started at center for all 11 games in 2018. Jarnigan is heavily involved in the community and in a variety of roles across Valpo’s campus.

“Jack is a spokesman for the team,” Fox said. “He’s our politician. He’s so involved in the community and is a valuable asset to not only our football team, but to the University on a whole. Each of our four captains brings a very different leadership style to the table, creating a blend that will be valuable to our team this season.”

The 2019 opener is right around the corner as the team kicks off the season on Aug. 29 at Eastern Kentucky. The first chance for local fans to catch the team in person at Brown Field will be on Sept. 14 against Central Connecticut State.