TROY, N.Y. - For the second consecutive year, student-athletes Austin Charles, Amaechi Konkwo, George Marinopoulos and Vinnie McDonald will serve as the captains of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) football team. All four are graduate students in their final collegiate seasons.

Charles (Castaic, CA / Cathedral) is a linebacker who has seen action in every game over the past two seasons played - the 2020 campaign was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic - and 23 total contests. He had 38 tackles (16 solo) in 2019, along with a team-high two fumble recoveries. 

A Liberty League All-Academic honoree, Charles completed his undergraduate degree as a business and management major and is pursuing a Master's in business analytics. He is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) who had internships with UCLA Athletics in their Development Office, the Sports Innovation Lab and NYSERDA Contract Management. He is also a volunteer mentor with the Albany JC Club and Power Lunch Reading Program.

A defensive end, Konkwo (Arlington, VA / Bishop Ireton) has 78 tackles (35 solo), including 20.5 for lost yards (101) and 13.5 sacks (69 yards lost), in 34 career games. He also has two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a pair of blocked kicks. He earned All-Liberty League First Team in both 2019 and 2018 after being selected All-Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman in 2017.

Konkwo, who is also part of SAAC, has been an intern at Decipher Technology Studios. He holds a degree in computer science and is currently studying business analytics.

The starting quarterback since early in 2017, Marinopoulos (Slingerlands, NY / Guilderland) has thrown for 5,900 yards and 51 touchdowns with 21 interceptions in 30 career games. He has completed 60 percent of his passes (520 of 866), including 64 percent (232 of 361) with 2356 yards during 2019. 

A business and management undergraduate degree recipient and a supply chain management Master's student, Marinopoulos earned CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) National Academic All-America honors in 2020-21. He is also a three-time Liberty League All-Academic choice and a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection. A former intern with Callanan Industries and Target, he is involved in numerous community service activities, particularly with St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church.

McDonald (Elmont, NY / Elmont Memorial) is a wide receiver who has played 27 games in his career, recording 44 receptions for 607 yards and six touchdowns with a career-long of 64 yards. He was All-Liberty League Honorable Mention in 2019 when he caught 39 passes for 444 yards and a team-high six touchdowns.

As an industrial and management engineering undergraduate, McDonald gained experience working at Goldman Sachs, NYSERDA and Aramark within Albany Medical Center. The Dean's Honor List student is working toward a Master's in business analytics with a concentration in supply chain management. He has been heavily involved on campus throughout his tenure, including on the executive board of SAAC. Previously the Community & Campus Involvement Coordinator, McDonald is Co-President this year. 

This year's captains, along with their classmates, have helped the Engineers to the post-season in each of their three years, including the NCAA Playoffs in 2017 (First Round) and 2018 (Quarterfinals). Rensselaer's 2021 campaign begins on Saturday against Montclair State University at East Campus Stadium in Troy. As per Rensselaer's plan to return to campus-based operations, external spectators are not permitted at this time. Only RPI faculty, staff and students who are fully compliant with the Institute's COVID-19 protocols are allowed to attend games.