Announcement (Sept. 28) | Watch Live

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – A pair of Saint John's All-Americans – defensive lineman Zach Frank '25 and quarterback Aaron Syverson '24 – are two of the guests scheduled to appear this Saturday on Johnnie GameDay – Live From Collegeville at the SJU Tailgate.

The new pregame show – hosted by WCCO-TV's Frank Vascellaro – debuts from 11 a.m.-noon and will feature interviews with Johnnie coaches, student-athletes and special guests, as well as the:

-"Ring the Bell" Challenge
-Keys to victory
-Johnnie spotlight
-A tour of the legendary SJU tailgate 
-Game predictions and picks

Frank
Chi Alpha Sigma's 2025-26 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, Frank was a three-time All-American, three-time All-Region selection and three-time All-MIAC honoree. He was voted the 2025 MIAC Mike Stam Award recipient as the top lineman in the conference after he led the Johnnies in tackles for loss (17.0), sacks (13.0), and quarterback hurries (7) in 12 games. Frank ended his SJU career ranked fifth in program history in sacks (28.5) and ninth in tackles for loss (40.0).

His work in the classroom led to five Dean's List appearances, three Academic All-MIAC and College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District nods, two CSC Academic All-America selections and induction into both Chi Alpha Sigma and the National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society. 

In the community, Frank helped Saint John's raise nearly $250,000 for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital during his playing career. He also volunteered annually with the Kids Fighting Hunger food drive and donated his time while studying abroad in London to participate in a service internship with Boxing Futures, where he helped facilitate an outreach program for at-risk youth. 

Those experiences inspired Frank to co-found the Johnnies and Bennies in Community (JBIC) campus organization in 2025. JBIC participates in community service with local organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Feed My Starving Children and local elderly groups. He also created a mentorship program in 2024 at a local elementary school where 40 SJU student-athlete mentors spend an hour at the school twice a week.

Syverson
The 2024 CSC Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for Division III, Syverson was a consensus All-American, the Walter Camp Division III Player of the Year, a runner-up for the Gagliardi Trophy and the MIAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. 

He ended the 2024 season as the Division III leader in completion percentage (.763), passing touchdowns (51), passing yards (4,382) and passing yards per game (365.2); second in completions per game (27.58), points responsible per game (26.0) and total offense per game (361.2); third in points responsible for (312); fourth in passing efficiency (198.0); and sixth in yards per pass attempt (10.10).

He finished 331 of 434 passing (.763) for 4,382 yards and 51 touchdowns (to four interceptions) in 12 games that fall. Syverson passed for over 300 yards in 10 of the Johnnies' 12 games, including four over 400, and for five or more touchdowns six times with eight games of four or more.

He owns the program and MIAC records for pass attempts (1,418); pass completions (983), passing yards (12,888) and touchdown passes (147), as well as the SJU marks for completion percentage (.693), passing yards per game (314.3), total offense (12,961 yards) and 300-yard passing games (20). Syverson is third in SJU history in both passing efficiency (175.8) and quarterback wins as a starter (36-5 record)

Saturday
If you're coming to the Saint John's-Bethel game, get there early, wear RED and be part of the live audience.

Can't make it to Collegeville?

Watch Johnnie GameDay - Live from Collegeville on the MIAC Network from 11 a.m.-Noon, free of charge. 

Stay tuned to gojohnnies.com and SJU athletics' social media for more information regarding the show, personalities and guests!