Center Valley, PA (November 12, 2021) - Seniors Drew Monteleone-Haught and Michael Paustian were part of a four-person team of senior sport & exercise physiology majors that claimed DSU's first-ever Middle Atlantic Regional Conference (MARC) College Bowl last weekend.

Monteleone-Haught, a member of the men's soccer team, and Paustian, a member of the men's cross country and track & field teams, were joined by seniors Joanne Gemperline and Zachary Brodeur.  The team with the most points won the Jeopardy style competition as the DeSales team boldly wagered all it's points in the final round to earn the regional championship and the right to represent DSU at the National American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) meeting in San Diego later in the academic year. 

To win, they demonstrated their knowledge in topics ranging from biomechanics, anatomy, cardiovascular physiology, metabolism, strength and conditioning, and more.

"We went into the competition with no expectations, just trying to have fun. We walked out with a trip to the national conference in San Diego," says Brodeur.

Although this is DSU's first MARC College Bowl victory, our University has a history of excellence at this contest. 

"We have typically done well in the competition, often coming in second or third. As a department, we see this as one indication that our students are well prepared for graduate school and/or careers upon graduation," Father Doug Burns, OSFS, department chairperson, sport and exercise physiology

While the team's coursework lays the foundation for high achievement at the College Bowl, their connection as teammates, and as a department, plays a significant role.

"We work hard as a department to generate a sense of family in our students in much the same way that many sports teams achieve a sense of family among their athletes. The victory of these few students is in a very real sense a victory for all of them," says Fr. Burns.

Brodeur notes that he is grateful for the chemistry he shares with his fellow teammates, and that trusting each other is ultimately what led to their success. Additionally, Brodeur credits the faculty at DSU. "We would like to thank Father Burns, Dr. Ellis, and Dr. Beardsley for their help throughout our four years at DeSales. It is exciting to be the first team to represent our school on the national level."

The national ACSM meeting will be held May 31-June 4, 2022, in San Diego. More than 7,000 people internationally are expected to attend, and each of the 12 regional College Bowl champions will compete to win the national contest.