SIGNIFICANCE OF #5

WESTERVILLE — The longstanding annual tradition of honoring former Otterbein University football player and student-athlete Josh Worthington is continuing this season in historical fashion.

Sophomore Vincent Berardi was recently selected to wear the prestigious No. 5 jersey in 2024 in tribute to Worthington and everything he meant to the program. Berardi is the first sophomore to earn the honor of wearing No. 5 in the 19 years since the tribute has been established, as it is typically reserved for a senior or team veteran.

Worthington, a Grove City native and former Otterbein quarterback who wore No. 5, passed away on Christmas morning in 2004 after his vehicle was struck by a drunk driver. He is remembered for the hard work, dedication and commitment he displayed as a promising young player, and it is an honor and a privilege to be selected by the coaches to wear his number. Those selected to wear No. 5 must be a respected player and demonstrate great character.

Interim head coach Jake Schaefer said Berardi emerged as the perfect choice for 2024.

"When you look at the history surrounding the story of the No. 5 jersey, it became very clear Vince was the top choice to represent our team this fall. Josh Worthington's life and career were cut short due to tragedy when he was just a freshman, and Vince emulates a lot of the same traits Josh had. The growth from his freshman to sophomore year has been astronomical. He is our vocal leader on the field, on campus and in the community," Schaefer said. "He was unanimously voted by his teammates for this honor, and it has been something he earned from the minute he stepped foot on campus as a young freshman. He is the first one in and last one out at every team function. He has a contagious energy about him that players gravitate toward. I have the utmost confidence he will continue to lead us in the right direction this fall."

Berardi played in all 10 of the Cardinals' games as a freshman in 2023 en route to earning his first varsity letter. He saw multiple starts at tight end, finishing the season ranked third on the team in receptions and receiving yards, and won the starting long snapper job to also contribute on special teams.

Berardi learned he would be wearing No. 5 this season following the team's intrasquad scrimmage.

"It kind of had me star-struck," he said. "I wasn't expecting it. It was a pleasant surprise."

A native of Columbia Station, Ohio, Berardi knew he wanted to play college football upon graduating from Columbia High School. Otterbein turned out to be the perfect place for him to fulfill that dream.

"My teammate, Owen Menge, showed me around Otterbein, and I absolutely fell in love with it, and I haven't looked back since," he said.

Berardi is majoring in sport management with a minor in exercise science and health promotion and hopes to pursue a career working in the front office of a professional sports team. He has quickly endeared himself to his coaches and teammates at Otterbein, and now he has been bestowed with one of the top honors in the program. He cited getting to wear the No. 5 jersey as a great privilege and is ready to assume the responsibility that comes with it.

"Knowing that my guys voted me in really means a lot to me," he said. "It's a big responsibility, but my biggest goal is to bring out the best in everyone. If we can accomplish that, we can compete with anyone."

Otterbein begins its 2024 season on Sept. 7 at Ohio Wesleyan and opens Ohio Athletic Conference play Sept. 14 at Muskingum. The Cardinals' home opener is scheduled for Sept. 21 against Marietta on Homecoming.