Long Island's  Rick Pennecke

Rich Pennecke wasn’t totally sure what to think when he first learned that he was invited to play in the 2004 Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge, thanks to his being named All-Long Island after his senior season.

 Leave it to Douglas Goodwin to set him straight.

Pennecke asked the 2003 second-team All-Big East player at Boston College and former Holy Trinity star about his experience in the 2000 Empire Challenge game, and the response got Pennecke ready to play.

“He told me the Empire Challenge was one of the best experiences he had as an athlete,” Pennecke said. “That really meant something to me to hear that. So I went online to the Web site and starting reading up on the game and I really got into it. I can’t wait for the game to get here,” he added.

A lifelong Jets fan, Pennecke’s excitement will start from the moment he first walks on to the Jets practice facility the week before the game. “I’ve been there before to watch practice, but to be on the other side of things is really going to be great.”

His love for the Jets also translates into being a huge fan of Boomer Esiason. The fact his athletic gifts have put him in position to help the Esiason Foundation’s fundraising efforts is not lost on Pennecke. “It’s an honor to be able to play in this game and be able to raise money for what Boomer is doing.” 

Pennecke will move on to Stony Brook this fall to continue his football creer. His future college roommate (Michael Rubino of Syosset) will be a teammate on the Long Island team. A total of six future Stony Brook freshman will play in the game, three on each side, but the future loyalties will have to be placed on hold until after the Empire Challenge is in the books.

While the game is an exhibition game, Pennecke and his teammates know they are carrying the mantle of the Long Island teams who have won the last two, and three of the last four Empire Challenge games.

“We’re going into the game focussed on coming back with a three-pete,” he stated. “I don’t care who they have or how many guys on their roster are going on to play Division 1 football. We’re going to be ready to play and expect to win.”