Saint Francis University made its debut at the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Media Day, with head coach Chris Villarrial and senior defensive back Campbell Melzer representing the team. The transition from Division I to Division III poses challenges, but Villarrial is excited about coaching and continuing the program's tradition of player development. He cited the successes of former players, including Super Bowl champion EJ Jenkins. Melzer, embracing a leadership role, highlighted the strong trust among teammates as key to staying with the program during this transition.

By the Numbers
  • Saint Francis enters its first PAC season with an eight-game schedule against PAC opponents.
  • Villarrial has led the team to Northeast Conference championships in 2016 and 2022.
State of Play
  • Saint Francis is the 12th member of the PAC, marking the largest size in conference history.
  • The team will not be eligible for the PAC Championship during its transition period.
What's Next

The Red Wolves will open their PAC season on September 26 against Grove City, which was ranked second in the preseason poll. As they transition, Saint Francis aims to establish new rivalries within the conference.

Bottom Line

Saint Francis’ transition to the PAC represents a pivotal moment for the program, emphasizing commitment to tradition while developing new competitive relationships. The focus will be on building trust among players and coaches as the team adapts to a new level of competition.