SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Head Coach Jon Drach announced on Thursday the four individuals have been elected to serve as team captains of the Union College football team for the upcoming 2024 season. Fifth-year seniors Cole DaSilva, Michael Fiore and Nathan Sullivan as well as rising senior Robbie Tolbert have been selected by their peers to lead the team.
 
"I am extremely honored to have these four men lead our program. Being a captain is not just about leading on the field; it's also about embodying the values of our team, inspiring others through actions, and lifting everyone around you each and every day," said Drach. "Each one of these men bring a distinct set of skills and leadership qualities to the team. They exemplify dedication, resilience, and a commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Their ability to motivate their teammates and lead by example will be instrumental to our success this season."
 
DaSilva will serve as a captain for the second straight season after leading the team in 2023 as well. An All-Liberty League second-team performer last year, he ranked second on the team with 72 tackles, including a team-leading 42 solo stops. The Milford, Conn., native added one sack and 10 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery to help lead a Union defense that allowed only 11.4 points per game and under 70 yards per game on the ground. DaSilva has seen his production increase in each of his first three seasons on the gridiron, bringing 148 total tackles (75 solo) and 14.5 tackles for loss into the 2024 campaign.
 
Fiore will be one of the team's two offensive leaders after a breakout 2023 season for Union, rushing for a team-best 1,095 yards and 16 touchdowns in 12 games. He led the Liberty League in rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, rushing yards per game (91.25) and total scoring, while also ranking 15th in Division III in rushing scores and 22nd in rushing yards. As a result, he was named to the All-Liberty League first team and D3football.com All-Region third team. The Stony Brook, N.Y., native will enter his final season already seventh in school history with 26 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 5.1 yards per rush during his 26 career games in garnet. 
 
Sullivan has been a leader in the defensive backfield for Union over his three-year career, earning a second All-Liberty League honor last year by tying for the team lead in interceptions with four to earn a spot on the second team. The Acton, Mass., native also ranked fifth on the team with a career-high 42 tackles from his spot in the backfield. Sullivan has played in all 32 games through his first three seasons at Union, grabbing six interceptions and breaking up 14 passes while recording 93 total tackles.
 
Tolbert returned to form at the wide receiver spot during his junior season, ranking second on the team with 35 receptions for 485 yards and three touchdowns and ranking ninth in the Liberty League in receiving yards, touchdowns, and yards per game. The Laurel, Md., native has hauled in 73 passes for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns during his three-year career so far and will be a very important piece on the outside for the Union offensive attack in 2024.
 
Union opens the 2024 season on Friday, September 6 on the road at Utica University.