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s a starting defensive end for the National friends and returns to the university every year Football League’s (NFL) San Diego Chargers, to speak with the football team. As his career Jacques Cesaire, ’11, regularly played for a grew, Cesaire, and his wife, Jill, also supported cheering crowd of up to Southern students by 71,500 at the city’s contributing to the Qualcomm Stadium. SCSU Foundation. There were fewer fans In San Diego, the on hand at Southern’s altruistic couple is comundergraduate committed to the Monarch mencement exercises on School for homeless May 27, but the emotions children and teens and ran sky-high for Cesaire supports a Chargers’ and family and friends program to feed the who watched him receive city’s homeless. In 2007, his bachelor’s of science Cesaire founded J.C.’s degree in liberal studies. Kids in conjunction with The day marked the Athletes for Education to culmination of a journey benefit area youth. The that began in 1998 following year, he was when Cesaire, then a presented with an top prospect from award from the United Gardner High School in Way for outstanding Massachusetts, enrolled work in the community. at Southern. Cesaire was Through it all, the an Owl standout — professional athlete and named the Northeast-10 humanitarian never forConference Defensive got his promise to comLineman of the Year and plete his degree. His a first team NCAA staunchest advocates Division II All-American were his wife, Jill, and Jacques Cesaire, ’11, celebrates commencement with his wife, selection by the his mother, Jackie. Jill (Murray) Cesaire, ’03, and daughter, Viviana. American Football Cesaire’s parents emiCoaches Association. grated to the U.S. from With his dream of someday playing for the NFL becoming a real possibiliHaiti. “My mother always preached the importance of going to college, as ty, Cesaire completed his senior college football season and signed with well as finishing everything you start,” says Cesaire, whose four siblings all sports agent Joe Linta. Linta felt the young player had great potential — if he graduated high school and went on to attend college. was willing to work tremendously hard and put his all into training. “It was also important to me as a parent,” he says. The couple has a A few classes shy of earning a degree, Cesaire went to Head Football young daughter, Viviana, and is expecting a son in October. “I couldn’t tell Coach Rich Cavanaugh for advice. “I remember sitting in his office,” Cesaire them to go to college, if I hadn’t done so.” recalls. “Coach Cav understood that there was a limited window of time So Cesaire went back to school, completing several courses, including a during which I’d have the opportunity to play for the NFL. He said, ‘Look, required fine arts class and an internship at Advantage Personal Training in you’re almost done. Promise me that you will come back and get your Mystic, Conn. Today the All-American player turned NFL pro says earning degree. . . . Now work hard and focus on what you need to do.’” his degree is among his proudest achievements. Cesaire withdrew from Southern to begin intensive training in North Cesaire hopes to build on his demonstrated commitment to community Carolina. “Next thing I knew, I was with the San Diego Chargers,” says service by working with Southern on programs that benefit New Haven Cesaire, who signed with the team on May 2, 2003. “It all happened so fast.” youth. “My wife and I look forward to working with [Southern Interim Through it all his commitment to Southern remained ironclad. “I’m blue President] Dr. Battle. I think these initiatives can really make a difference.” and white for life,” says Cesaire, who is married to Jill (Murray) Cesaire, ‘03, a former Owls’ cheerleader. He counts Southern alumni among his best — By Villia Struyk
NFL Player Earns Degree
JASON VAN STONE, ’97, vice chairman of the Waterbury Republican Town Committee, is also a member of the Board of Education. He’s employed by OptiCare Eye Health and 32 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Vision Centers as the director of marketing.
Conn. Collins has been an art teacher for 16 years.
MEGAN COLLINS, M.S. ’98, had LORI FARKASH, M.S. ’98, of her artwork featured at ArtPlace Gallery at Watermark in Bridgeport,
Moses Y. Beach School in Wallingford, Conn., has been nominated for the
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
JENNIFER CASEY, M.S.W. ’99, a facilitator at The Healing Hearts Center for Grieving
Children and Families, has been a special program counselor at Holy Cross High School since 2001.