![President Todd Pfannestiel poses with Jeremy Thurston chairperson Board of Trustees [left] and former chairperson Robert Brvenik [right] after accepting the university's institutional charter.](https://uticatangerine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/unnamed.jpeg)
Brett Fuller, standing tall at 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, commanded the field as the star quarterback for the Pioneers this season. A native of Port Jervis, Fuller has become an integral part of the football team bringing his physical attributes, determination and leadership.
For Fuller, football has always been more than a game—it’s a calling. A gut feeling drove his journey to Utica University.
“I came to Utica because the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home,” he said. “It has a great family atmosphere here.”
That sense of belonging has fueled his success both on and off the field.
Overcoming adversity
This season was unlike any other for Fuller and the Pioneers. Faced with unexpected challenges, the team had to dig deep.
“This season was different because we were faced with a lot of adversity that we had to overcome,” he said.
Through perseverance and teamwork, the Pioneers pushed through the storm, and Brett came out as a leader and determined to help guide the team into a respectable 5-5 season overall.
Dominating performance
This season, Fuller threw more than 2,000 yards with 20 touchdowns and a 62% completion rate, he has consistently delivered when it mattered most. One of his standout games came against Alfred, where he threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions, completing 29 of 52 passes.
Against SUNY Morrisville Fuller set a historical record, completing 24 of 28 passes for a school-record 89% completion rate. He racked up 238 yards and three touchdowns, leaving fans and opponents in awe of his precision and skill.
Moments to cherish
Football at Utica has been about more than just stats to him, he said. It’s the memories he’s made that truly define his experience. He fondly recalled winning a bowl game last season, the thrill of traveling to Canada to play an international game and the pride of being part of a team that made it to the NCAA playoffs.
“My favorite thing about the football team is all of the friends I have and have made here,” Fuller said.
Looking to the future
With one more season ahead, he is already setting his sights on what’s next.
“We will take this season and use it to fuel us for next season,” he said. “We must work harder and be more efficient in our play, knowing that every play counts.”
As a Health and Physical Education major, he plans to become a teacher and high school football coach and hopes to inspire younger generations, blending his love for sports and education and make a lasting impact.
