Navy's Bernie Sarra has come a long way from the 2011 Greensburg Catholic High School kid who lettered in football, track and field, and basketball. Sarra joined the Naval Academy in the fall of 2012 after spending a year at the Naval Academy Prep School. In his first season with the Mids, Sarra appeared in eight games and earned a varsity letter but knew he needed to step up and make a bigger difference in his remaining years of eligibility.
During the summer before his sophomore season Sarra lost nearly 50 pounds and got quicker, stronger, and more technically sound. The transformation made an impact as Sarra started 10 games to register 24 tackles and 2 quarterback hurries - despite suffering a broken ankle which sidelined him for three games. In the following year Navy's defensive unit held eight of 13 opponents under their scoring average for the season. Sarra's hard work was recognized when he was awarded the 2013 Admiral Mack Award which goes to the player that improved the most over the spring.
Fast forward to this season where Sarra has been named co-captain alongside quarterback Keenan Reynolds and is ready to lead the Mids' defense in their first season as a member of The American. Although it is Sarra's last year at Navy he is looking forward to the opportunity of playing in the American Athletic Conference and the chance to play in the inaugural Championship Game. "Knowing we were coming into the conference this year we knew it was just another goal we could put on our bulletin board."