College Football Showdown Features Five John Jay Grads

CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - Last month, Springfield College faced Cortland in the third round of the NCAA Division III football championship. Number two versus twenty, Springfield pulled off an upset that put their team in the quarterfinals of the tournament. But no matter the outcome, the 40-28 final score actually had a lot to say about John Jay Football.

With Craig and Joe Galea and Matt Ferrer as reserves on the Cortland roster and special teams player Michael Mendicino on Springfield, said Springfield Cornerback Tyler Paladino, “John Jay has produced a lot of great, winning athletes. We know how to win and went to winning programs.”

Only one winner this time around, Springfield’s undefeated season meant the fourth straight conference championship and positioned Paladino to be one of the heroes. With his team losing 28-27 in the fourth, the cornerback suddenly had the tall buildings in his sights. 

“That’s when I had my interception,” said the 2022 grad.

Even better, defense turned into offense. 

“We scored on the following drive,” said Paladino. “Our quarterback made a long touchdown run, and then we stopped them a couple of times.”

This included one last stand. 

“We stopped them on fourth and one at the goal line,” he said.

All told, Paladino felt this one of his best performances, but he also took pride in seeing his John Jay teammate make his way on special teams. 

“I had him as a recruit when he came up my freshman year. Now he’s on the team. He loves it and I love it,” Paladino said. “It’s a cool experience.”

Unfortunately, Springfield really had their hands full in the next round.  

“Our offense really struggled to move the ball,” said Paladino. But the defense held North Central College to their lowest total in four years.

Fun and games, the books are almost the same story. Paladino is studying physical education, and he already has his after-school agenda planned out. 

“I either want to coach in college for a few years or come back and teacher somewhere and coach high school,” he said.
So there’s a lot of very long days ahead of him. 

“That’s the life of a football coach,” the junior assured. 

The per diem works out, though. “It combines the two worlds I want to be in,” said Paladino, “teaching kids and being around the game.”

For now the player is present, and as a returning starter, he will be part of getting the replacements up to speed. 

“Me and a couple of the other guys, we know how to manage the team,” concluded Paladino. “We’re going to get back to that point and hopefully go even farther next year.”