Blue Hen News

Cotter graduate O'Brien emerging as leader at SDSU

RICK SOLEM | rsolem@winonadailynews.com winonadailynews.com | 2010

John Stiegelmeier has been coaching South Dakota State University football for the past 13 seasons. This year, however, is unique. This year, he's going through something he's never experienced before. This year, his offense will be led by a sophomore quarterback.

"We have never had that in my tenure as a head football coach," Stiegelmeier said.

Thomas O'Brien, a 2008 Cotter High School graduate, is that sophomore, though nobody thinks of him like that.

"Most of the time, a guy starts for two years," Stiegelmeier said. "They kind of pay their dues."

O'Brien has paid his dues. The redshirt sophomore already has proved he can do everything it takes to succeed at quarterback for a top Football Championship Series (formerly NCAA Division I-AA) team. SDSU is ranked No. 8 in The Sports Network FCS preseason poll.

"I'm excited about having a guy at the quarterback position that has some experience," Stiegelmeier said. "That's a huge part of playing that position - leadership and all those other things."

O'Brien stepped into the starting role last year after senior quarterback Ryan Crawford was injured.

The Jackrabbits went 4-2 with O'Brien as the starter - one of those losses was to Minnesota, 16-13. The other loss was in the first round of the FCS playoffs to Montana, 61-48.

Staying busy

Stiegelmeier isn't worried about his sophomore quarterback producing. He's done that. The only thing he thought might happen was O'Brien would get complacent, would think the starting job was his and his alone.

"If anything, I would have worried that he's young and had some success and that he would relax," Stiegelmeier said. "I have not seen that at all in him."

O'Brien didn't have a paying job this summer - he begged his mom to let him be free. He argued that the team would need him at all hours of the day, and if he had a job, he couldn't get in the work. She fell for it.

"I was the only QB in town this summer, so until the middle of July, I was the only QB getting reps," O'Brien said, still defending his lack of summertime work. "It was way different last year, because we had three quarterbacks.

"Being the only one this summer was difficult sometimes because a lot of guys had jobs, and that was one of the selling points to my mom for not having a job - so I could go throw whenever they needed me."

All summer O'Brien threw and threw. When a teammate called him up, he went to "work."

"I probably threw 4-5 times a week," O'Brien said. "I just go until my arm is tired.

"Being the only QB, it was a lot of responsibility, but getting those reps is huge, because once practice starts, you don't get to work on those timing routes."

So Stiegelmeier didn't worry about his quarterback being complacent. He probably saw him out on the field just about every day of the week.

"As a young guy, he's done a tremendous job of taking the role and running with it," Stiegelmeier said. "He was throwing at night, getting receivers together to throw extra. I think with the leadership thing, he's ahead of his age."

Winning the job

O'Brien is a bit used to coming into a situation and having to earn his position. As a junior heading into his first year of varsity football for Cotter, he wasn't even sure he would be the quarterback.

"I felt that before, when I wasn't sure if Sam Blank was going to take my spot at Cotter when he came over from Winona High," O'Brien said. "I'm not sitting back or relaxing because we have good quarterbacks behind me. If I'm not making plays, I won't be out there."

Blank played wide receiver as a junior at Cotter after transferring from Winona High, where he had started at quarterback as a sophomore. When Chris Wolfe graduated, nobody was sure if the junior O'Brien or the senior Blank would take over.

It ended up being O'Brien, and he led the Ramblers to state.

O'Brien graduated as perhaps Cotter's most prestigious passer - though his brother Mat O'Brien could argue his numbers were as impressive. But Thomas finished as Cotter's single-season leader in passing yards (2,677) and touchdowns (35), while Mat holds Cotter's career records in those categories.

Thomas was the Winona Daily News player of the year in 2007, and soon after was offered a full athletic scholarship to SDSU in Brookings, S.D.

Pass first, run last

This season, O'Brien and SDSU have national championship hopes.

That could be a challenge early. SDSU lost its top three offensive linemen and top three wide receivers.

O'Brien isn't worried, though nobody expects him to do any running.

"We are not going to design any runs for Thomas O'Brien, but when he has to run or forced to run, he does not shy away," Stiegelmeier said, only half-joking.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound O'Brien never has been categorized as a fast guy.

"I definitely try to make plays with my arm first and foremost, but I'm not afraid to run if I get a chance," O'Brien said. "Ryan, last year, we called him Crazy Legs Crawford, and he was no faster than me. He made some runs and gave me some confidence. But I've never really had to run in a game. I think in high school I had maybe one 10-yard run."

O'Brien will leave the running to his running back. And though it lost three linemen and wide receivers, SDSU returns running back Kyle Minett, who is a preseason candidate for the Walter Payton Award that goes to the top offensive player in the FCS.

"He can hurt defenses in a lot of ways," O'Brien said.

Big Red fever

Looking at SDSU's schedule, the first thing that sticks out is its game at Nebraska on Sept. 25.

Last year, O'Brien started at TCF Bank Stadium against Minnesota but didn't have a great game against his favorite team growing up.

In a sort of a homecoming, O'Brien was 15-for-39 for 183 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Nevertheless, he still relishes the experience.

"That was one of the coolest experiences of my life," O'Brien said. "Competing against my home state with all my family there and playing Minnesota - hearing their school song - and being a fan of them when I was young, it was definitely something special."

This season, with Nebraska, the situation is similar, but it's too early to think about.

"I think a lot of guys use that game," O'Brien said. "Personally, I probably use that sometimes when in the weight room. I think we use that as motivation.

"But our No. 1 thought heading into camp is Delaware. We're not going to be thinking about Nebraska once we're in camp."

Stiegelmeier wanted nothing to do with discussing Nebraska.

"We play the No. 15 team the first game," he said emphatically. "I think the main emphasis the coaches have talked about in Nebraska is ‘It's our third game.'

"We can't be thinking about that. When we get there, that'll be the biggest stage to that point. They're ranked No. 9. The challenge will be great."

Copyright 2010 winonadailynews.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted in College, Sports on Sunday, August 15, 2010 12:00 am Updated: 8:19 am. 

==================================================

South Dakota State University Minett named to Payton Award watch list

By SDSU Sports Info
Courtesy: South Dakota State University
http://www.gojacks.com/

South Dakota State University running back Kyle Minett is one of 20 players named to the preseason watch list for the 2010 Walter Payton Award, which is awarded to the top offensive playerin the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.

A native of Ruthton, Minn., Minett enters his senior season third among returning FCS backs and fourth on the SDSU career charts with 3,069 career rushing yards. A two-time second-team all-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, he has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, rushing for 1,289 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2008 and 1,304 yards and 16 TDs last season. In addition, Minett has 79 career receptions for 720 yards and seven scores.

Minett, who was named to the Associated Press All-America Third Team in 2009, is the first SDSU football player to be nominated for the Walter Payton Award, which is sponsored by Fathead.com and presented by The Sports Network. The Walter Payton Award watch list will be updated on Oct. 4 and 25, with ballots sent to a panel of approximately 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 22. Three finalists will be announced on Dec. 1 and invited to The Sports Network/Fathead FCS Awards Presentation Jan. 6 — the night before the FCS national championship game — in Frisco, Texas.

=====================================================

Blue Hens expect to be more than Devlin

By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director - 9/3/10

Newark, DE (Sports Network) - OK, now, the Delaware offense consists of quarterback Pat Devlin and, well, uh, um ...

Yes, the answers don't necessarily roll off the tongue.

Don't be mistaken, however, UD will be much more than PD this season. In fact, the Blue Hens will have to be if they are going to accomplish their goal of being an elite team again in CAA Football and, ultimately, the Football Championship Subdivision.

Last year's trying season of injuries and youthful mistakes has led to a seasoned lineup for ninth-year head coach K.C. Keeler. After his squad shook 
off the early rust that often goes with a season-opening game, Devlin threw
for three touchdowns and the Blue Hens shut out Division II West Chester 
or the second straight year, 31-0 before 19,421 sweaty fans Thursday night at Tubby Raymond Field.

Quite frankly, the game ball belonged more to Delaware's defense, which was smothering in allowing only 115 yards on 57 West Chester plays. Sixth-year senior linebacker Matt Marcorelle returned from injury and the veteran secondary of Anthony Bratton, Anthony Walters and Tyrone Grant was ridiculous
y good with three interceptions.

But everyone around UD is so anxious for the All-America Devlin to play like the next Joe Flacco that the intrigue around the team is how much the rest of the offense can support Devlin's starring role. Against West Chester, it looked like the unit has come of age a year after the Blue Hens went 6-5
and two years after - gulp - the low point of Keeler's tenure, a 4-8 record in 2008.

"I think we know each other better," said Devlin, the Penn State transfer who is one of 17 returning starters. "I think that turns into better chemistry on the field. And I think we're having more fun when we're out here just because we're kind of in each other's heads and we know what each other person is going to do.=20

"Just overall, there's more confidence in the offense, more confidence in the guys around me. I think everyone believes that everyone is going to get their job done."

The Blue Hens' offensive line features four returning starters, led by right tackle Kevin Uhll and his 27 straight starts. New tailback Andrew Pierce is a grayshirt freshman, but was on campus last spring, impressed in the spring game and has raced past last year's talented freshmen, David Hayes and Leon Jackson, on the depth chart. The receiving corps is so deep that it's hard for anybody to focus on just one or two of them.

"We did want to come out strong today, and I think we did that overall," Devlin said. "I think there are some things that we can improve on (two lostfumbles, six penalties) and we'll learn that in film.

"I think a lot of the guys showed it tonight. You know, Rob Jones is not only a good wideout, he can return punts, return kicks as well. Mark Mackey is a really good player on the outside, just as Phil Thaxton is. You saw that, make a 5-yard catch and turn it into a touchdown."

A half dozen or so NFL scouts were in attendance to watch Devlin (three have put in requests for all seven Delaware home games). He was out of the game in less than three quarters, a relative peace offering to West Chester when the score was 31-0.

Devlin completed 14 of 23 passes for 163 yards and spread the wealth with touchdowns to Nihja White (7 yards), Tommy Crosby (15 yards) and Thaxton (23 yards). Meanwhile, Pierce rushed for 119 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown, on 13 carries in his first career start.=20

"We gave A.P. (Pierce) an opportunity today and he was as advertised," Keel
er said. "We really felt during the course of training camp he was proving 
that he needed to be our number one back. Gregg Perry, the running back coach, was really adamant about we need a guy that we can give the ball to 25 
times a game. And A.P. is that kind of guy - 200-pounder, great speed, catches the ball in the backfield, doesn't make a lot of mistakes. So for a grayshirt freshman, he had a pretty good day."=20

"I've been waiting for this day to happen," Pierce said. "My line blocked great today. I ran well. I'm just happy for that, I'm happy for this win.=20

"I've talked about it before," Pierce added. "Playing with a guy that has a
good chance of going to the NFL is going to be a great opportunity, teaching me things that I didn't know. It's just a great opportunity for me."=20

Delaware put the game away late in the second quarter with a third touchdown that flashed images the Blue Hens hope to see all season. Flashed was the
optimum word because the three-play drive lasted a mere 46 seconds.=20

On the second play, Pierce sprinted for a 34-yard, across-the-field run to the West Chester 15. On the next play, Devlin tossed a 15-yard out pattern
to Crosby in the end zone for an easy score and a 21-0 Blue Hens' lead.

It was impressive, quick and more than just Devlin.

Delaware, ranked 16th in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25, will get a much bigger test next Saturday when ninth-ranked South Dakota State comes across the country for a big non-conference showdown.=20

Rest assured the Jackrabbits will be familiar with plenty of Blue Hens besides Pat Devlin. They'll need to be.

===============================================

No. 21 West Chester Falls To No. 16 Delaware, 31-0

09/03/10

From: http://www.wcupagoldenrams.com/


NEWARK, Del. – Downingtown native Pat Devlin threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns as 16th-ranked Division I-FCS power Delaware shut out visiting West Chester, 31-0, in the 2010 season opener before 19,421 spectators at Delaware Stadium on a humid Thursday night.

West Chester, ranked 21st in the country at the Division II level, was shut out by Delaware for the second consecutive year. Sophomore QB Mike Mattei went 9-for-20 for 68 yards, but threw three interceptions in his first career start. Red-shirt freshman Sean McCartney made his collegiate debut, going 2-for-6 for eight yards in relief of Mattei.

Junior LB Vic Iturbides led West Chester with a career-high seven tackles.

Devlin tossed a pair of touchdown passes in the first half, sandwiching a 22-yard run by Andrew Pierce early in the second quarter in-between. Devlin’s 7-yard flip to Nihja White put the hosts on top, 7-0, with 2:06 to play in the opening frame. Pierce’s run doubled the advantage. Then Devlin hit Tommy Crosby on a 15-yard pass just before halftime to send the Blue Hens into the locker room ahead, 21-0. Pierce finished the day with 119 yards on 13 carries.

Place-kicker Mike Perry nailed a 43-yard field goal five minutes into the third quarter, before Devlin hit Phillip Thaxton for a 23-yard TD strike later in the third.

West Chester opens its home slate on Saturday, Sept. 11 against Edinboro at 1 p.m. It will be Michael Horrock’s Day at Farrell Stadium. A statue of the Golden Rams’ former quarterback will be unveiled in a ceremony that morning that is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. That ceremony is open to the public.


NOTES: West Chester was shut out by Delaware for the second consecutive year … the Golden Rams lost 35-0 to the Blue Hens in 2009 … West Chester has not scored on Delaware since the 6:59 mark of the fourth quarter in 2008 when Andrew Taylor caught a 4-yard pass for a touchdown … the scoring drought has now reached 126 minutes, 59 seconds … West Chester has now dropped the last 17 contests against Delaware and trail the all-time series, 45-6-2 … the Golden Rams have not beaten the Blue Hens since a 21-20 victory in 1992 … head coach Bill Zwaan is now 0-8 against his alma mater … sophomore QB Mike Mattei made his first college start on Thursday … junior return man Jackson Fagan brought back the opening kickoff 44 yards to establish a new career high … a total of 13 Golden Rams made their collegiate debuts on Thursday … Sr. DB Cedric Jeffries made his West Chester debut as well.

===============================================

Blue Hens Football Gameday 2010

The University of Delaware would like to provide everyone attending
games on campus this season with pertinent information to make their
gameday experience an enjoyable, memorable and safe one. Information
relative to the Blue Hens' next game can be found online each week and
you can find additional information related to all home games -
including a weekend calendar of events, information on The Coop and Fan
Zone, and a complete A-Z Gameday guide - by utilizing the Gameday links
below.


We hope you enjoy cheering on your Blue Hens at Delaware Stadium in
2010!

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/fls/16800/gameday2010/graybg-top.jpg

Game 1: vs. West Chester
(Delaware Colors Day: Wear Your Blue and Gold!)

GENERAL GAME INFO
When: Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 @ 7 p.m.
Where: Newark, DE
Facility: Tubby Raymond Field @ Delaware Stadium
- Stadium Diagram, Information and Policies
Tickets: $32/$27/$18/$10

BROADCAST INFO
Radio: 94.7FM WDSD
Live Web Streaming: Live Video
Live Stats: Click Here

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/fls/16800/gameday2010/graybg-btm.jpg

Gameday Happenings - Delaware vs. West Chester

Traffic & Parking: Season and single game parking lots open 4 hours
prior to kickoff. Single game parking is available for $15. Season
passes must be displayed at all times and patrons must enter through the
Entrance indicated on their parking pass.

Due to expected high traffic volume and area construction, fans are
encouraged to arrive early. Fans traveling from the North are
encouraged to travel from Route 273 to Route 4. Fans traveling from the
South are encouraged to take Route 72 to Route 4. Patrons traveling
southbound on 896 (S. College Ave.) will not be able to make a left hand
turn into Stadium lots. In addition, handicap patrons should enter Gate
F located on Route 4 as the handicap parking has been relocated to
behind the BCC due to construction.

UD Athletic Ticket Office Opens At Delaware Stadium: 5 p.m. Thursday,
windows located adjacent to Main Entrance on West side of Stadium.

Gates Open At Delaware Stadium: 5 p.m. Thursday.

Fan Zone: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Adjacent to Main Entrance on West side of
Stadium.
New family friendly fun zone! Live entertainment provided by Lower
Case Blues at 5pm on the Delaware Lottery Stage followed by the WDSD
pre-game show beginning at 6pm. Also, don’t forget to visit the
Future Hens Club booth on your way to get autographs from your favorite
Blue Hens student-athletes on the Delaware Volleyball team and then stop
by the Bird Feeder for a snack while the kids enjoy playing on the giant
inflatable bounce house.

* Fan Zone Partners include: Delaware Express, Pinnacle Energy,
Studio Green, PNC, Mellow Yellow (Coca-Cola),Raymond Entertainment, Ceil
County Office of Economic Dev., WDSD, Nucar, New Castle Farmer’s
Market



The Coop: 5-6:45 p.m. Thursday, Adjacent to the Fan Zone
New hospitality area for our guests 21 and over to stop by and purchase
adult beverages and snacks while catching live college gameday
broadcasts. Must be 21 and over for entry and must present valid photo
id and paid game ticket.

Student Entrance Programming: SCPAB, Studio Green & Healthy Hens

Giveaway: First 15,000 fans will receive a 2010 Delaware Football
schedule magnet courtesy of UDAF and Coca Cola.

Promotion: Wear your Blue and Gold for College Colors Day! Be sure to
stop by the Campus Shop for your official 2010 Delaware Football
t-shirt.

Game Sponsor: Coca-Cola

Pre-Game In Stadium:
University of Delaware Bookstore Sideline Blitz
Starting Line-ups presented by Nucar
Coca-Cola Honorary Captain
Coin Toss presented by The Original Philadelphia Cheesesteak Company

In-Game:
First Half Statistics presented by UD MBA Programs
National 5 & 10 Seat Upgrade of the Game
Buffalo Wild Wings Winning Row
UD Office of Alumni Relations Tailgate of the Game
Grotto Pizza Groups of the Game
Delaware Lottery Launcher
Second Half Statistics presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield
Nucar’s Timeout Promotion

=========================================================

Delaware's Devlin looks to wow NFL scouts in his final season

September 2, 2010

By Keith Pompey Philly Inquirer Staff Writer

NEWARK, Del. - On a humid August morning, two Cleveland Browns scouts made the trek to Delaware Stadium.

Like the countless other NFL personnel who have come before, they followed Pat Devlin's every move during Delaware's intrasquad scrimmage.

Pat Devlin , a Downingtown native, is listed as the third-best senior QB for the 2011 draft. He says he wants to take the team "as far as I can." 

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound quarterback didn't disappoint, firing crisp and precise passes in the Blue Hens' spread offense. Perhaps seeing enough, the scouts quietly exited the stadium after one of Devlin's on-the-money throws midway through the scrimmage.

As he has been since transferring to Delaware from Penn State in 2009, the fifth-year senior was oblivious to the attention.

"I'm just focused on taking the team as far as I can," he said, shrugging off the NFL attention. "We want to win a national championship. That's our ultimate goal. . . . I want to do whatever I can to help this team achieve that."

Perhaps.

But scouting Devlin appeared to be a top priority for NFL teams this summer.

"We have been averaging three or four [NFL teams] every day," Delaware coach K.C. Keeler said. "And a lot of them are sending two per team. A lot of them are sending, like, player personnel directors. So we are getting a high-level group of guys coming through here."

That's because NFL teams are trying to figure out whether the Downingtown native can follow in the footsteps of former Delaware quarterback and Pittsburgh transfer Joe Flacco. After being selected 18th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, Flacco is regarded as one of the NFL's top young talents.

While Flacco boasts a powerful right arm, Devlin's strengths are his accuracy and a high football IQ.

Maybe that's why Devlin is listed by NFLDraftScout.com as the third-best senior quarterback prospect for the 2011 NFL draft behind Washington's Jake Locker and Florida State's Christian Ponder.

"At the high level, he's a late second-round grade for some teams," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said of Devlin's draft value. "I've seen anywhere from late [second round] to about the fifth round."

As in the case of Flacco, Mayock believes competing in a postseason all-star game, against major-college competition, will help determine Devlin's value.

"Flacco got a huge break a couple of years ago when Matt Ryan pulled out of the Senior Bowl," said Mayock, who will be replacing Pat Haden as the color commentator for Notre Dame telecasts on NBC10. "Flacco got a chance to practice the whole week in front of the whole league. That helped him amazingly.

"So for Pat, if he got the opportunity to compete in the Senior Bowl, I think it would be huge for him."

That's because, though impressive, Devlin's statistics come with an asterisk. Folks at Delaware may boast about how his 242.2 passing yards per game led the Colonial Athletic Association. They may also talk about his school-record 42 pass attempts for 407 yards against Villanova last season.

While notable, those stats came against Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) competition - not Bowl Championship Series (BCS) powerhouses.

"If you are a non-BCS conference player, your road to the NFL is a little harder and your value is perceived to be a little bit lower," Mayock said. "It's mostly because of the level of competition. You are expected to dominate at your level.

"And there's always a question of how good will that kid be over a longer schedule against better-quality competition?"

But playing on a lower level hasn't stopped the former Downingtown East High all-American from getting recognized.

Devlin is the only FCS player named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list. That prize goes to college football's top senior quarterback.

And the scary thing for Delaware's opponents is that he is expected to improve on last season's 64 percent completion percentage (220 for 344), 2,664 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Going back to his high school weight-training regimen, Devlin added 10 pounds of muscle to his frame. And having a full year to dissect the Blue Hens' scheme, he's much more comfortable with the offense.

"He's allowing you to call our game plan differently, because we can put more things on his shoulders," Keeler said. "In the past, it was a lot of look, get out there, see what you can do, and tell Pat what we wanted. Now we are making him make some of those decisions."

Delaware wideout Mark Mackey will tell you that Devlin's knowledge isn't the only noticeable improvement.

"For me personally, it's definitely ball placement," Mackey said. "The ball is always on the facemask now. Before, it's like he was definitely making the throws. But now they are perfect every time."

But Devlin insists all the off-season hard work was done for his final collegiate season, not to wow NFL scouts.

"I just want to focus on the team," he said. "I want to focus on trying to win a championship."

Devlin Is Moving Up the Charts:

Delaware quarterback Pat Devlin is projected to be the fifth or sixth quarterback taken in the 2011 NFL draft. Washington senior Jake Locker is the consensus overall No. 1 pick, followed by juniors Andrew Luck of Stanford and Arkansas' Ryan Mallett in the top of the first round. Florida State senior Christian Ponder is expected to go next. Juniors Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State and Arizona's Nick Foles also are projected to go in the first two rounds. Here are NFLDraftScout.com's top senior quarterback draft prospects for 2011:

Rank Name College Ht. Wt. Projected

1. Jake Locker Washington 6-3 230 1

2. Christian Ponder Florida State 6-2 220 1

3. Pat Devlin Delaware 6-4 225 2

4. Nathan Enderle Idaho 6-4 234 3

5. Jerrod Johnson Texas A&M 6-4 243 3-4

6. Andy Dalton TCU 6-2 215 4-5

7. Ricky Stanzi Iowa 6-4 230 5-6

8. Colin Kaepernick Nevada 6-6 220 6

9. Case Keenum Houston 6-1 208 6-7

10. Greg McElroy Alabama 6-2 225 6-7

Pat Devlin's statistics at Penn State and Delaware

Year School G C Att. Yards TD Int.

2007 Penn State 3 0 1 0 0 0

2008 Penn State 10 25 47 459 4 0

2009 Delaware 11 220 344 2,664 16 9 

Contact staff writer Keith Pompey at 610-313-8029

=======================================

Four New Faces On Zwaan's Football Coaching Staff

Sun, Aug. 29, 2010

From:  http://www.wcupagoldenrams.com/

Brandon Noble

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Golden Rams football head coach Bill Zwaan recently announced the hiring of three new assistant coaches and added a volunteer head coach as well to his 2010 coaching staff. Now in his eighth season running West Chester's storied program, Zwaan shook things up on the sideline after failing to reach the postseason in 2009.

Brandon Noble returns to West Chester after a one-year hiatus while Brian Kelley, who primarily helped out during spring practice the last few years, joins the staff for the first time this fall. A pair of Widener University assistants, Chris Bantell and JoJo Patrick, made the move west as well.

BRANDON NOBLE
Brandon Noble returns to West Chester University for his second tour of duty on head coach Bill Zwaan’s staff. This time as a full-time assistant coach. Noble was a part-time assistant coach with the Golden Rams’ gridders from 2006-08, before taking a one-year hiatus from the coaching profession.
Noble will tutor the defensive line in 2010 where he inherits two of three returning starters and a talent level that Zwaan feels goes almost three deep across the front line. The former NFL standout will oversee a group that led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in rushing defense, allowing a miniscule 77 yards rushing per game a year ago. The Golden Rams run defense was a big reason that the team placed second in the conference in scoring defense, surrendering just 17 points per game.

Three-time All-PSAC East selection Travis Ford-Bey is Noble’s prize pupil this fall. Ford-Bey led the Golden Rams with seven QB hurries in 2009 and is considered one of the conference’s top pass rushers off the edge. 

A 1998 graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Criminal Justice, Noble spent seven seasons in the NFL, including three with the Washington Redskins (2003-05) and four with the Dallas Cowboys (1999-2000). He was a three-year starter at defensive end for the Cowboys and received the Ed Block Courage Award while with the Redskins.

Noble also played in NFL Europe with the Barcelona Dragons, making the All-World team and playing in the 1999 World Bowl Championship.

A three-year starter at Penn State, Noble was the defensive MVP of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, served as a team captain, and played on the 1994 undefeated Rose Bowl squad. He earned All-Big Ten second team honors under legendary football coach Joe Paterno. Noble and fellow assistant coach E.J. Sandusky were teammates for one season at Penn State, leading the Nittany Lions to the 1993 Blockbuster Bowl.

BRIAN KELLEY
Brian Kelley enters his first season of intercollegiate coaching as an assistant on head coach Bill Zwaan’s staff, helping out with the linebackers. No stranger to the Golden Rams, Kelley has been around West Chester University’s football program for the last five years, volunteering his time during spring drills since 2005. This will be Kelley’s first fall with the Golden Rams’ gridders.

Kelley is a nine-year veteran of coaching, spending his first eight seasons on the high school level at Unionville High School where he has served as both the defensive coordinator and special teams coach since 2002. He also helped coach in the Valor Bowl – a Chester County high school senior all-star game – from 2003 to 2005.

Kelley enters his 16th year at Patton Middle School in Kennett Square, Pa., teaching English in the 6th thru 8th grades. He is a noted historian on Shakespeare and his works, presenting Shakespeare & Co. for the National Institute on Teaching Shakespeare and even being published in Shakespeare Magazine put out by Georgetown University. He has also presented at national conferences on connecting modern history to Shakespeare and connecting young people to Shakespeare.

In both 2003 and 2005, Kelley was featured in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He also won the Unionville-Chadds Ford Service Award in 2004. 

Kelley graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television and Film and earned his master’s from Temple as well in 1993 in English Education.

CHRIS BANTELL
Chris Bantell enters his first season as an assistant coach at his alma mater. He will assist with the defensive backs for the Golden Rams this fall. Bantell is in his second stint with the Golden Rams. He volunteered his time as an undergraduate assistant at West Chester University in the spring of 2008, before being hired as a graduate assistant at Widener University.

Bantell moves over from Widener where he mentored the linebackers while working on his master’s degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Education.

The Golden Rams posted a 9-4 record that season, which included a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division title and an appearance in the NCAA II playoffs. Bantell earned his bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies from West Chester University in 2009 with a minor in Athletic Coaching and Communications.

JOJO PATRICK
JoJo Patrick begins his first season at West Chester University as an assistant coach, helping out with the offensive line. He comes to the Golden Rams’ program from nearby Widener University where he spent last fall as an assistant coach with the Pride.

Patrick mentored the defensive line at Widener and spent two seasons at Valley Forge Military College before that, working with the special teams unit. He also gained experience working with linebackers as well as strength & conditioning while at Valley Forge.

Patrick is in the midst of his second season of coaching at the four-year intercollegiate level. His knowledge and expertise will be put to good use with a very experienced and talented offensive line. Patrick will assist current offensive line coach Nick Sama with the development of that unit in 2010.
Football

=====================================

West Chester Football Ranked 22 In AFCA Preseason Coaches' Poll

From: http://www.wcupagoldenrams.com/

WACO, Texas - West Chester University's football squad is ranked 22nd nationally in the American Football Coaches' Association Division II preseason football poll it was announced Monday. It marks the third consecutive year that the Golden Rams' gridders have entered their fall campaign nationally ranked by fellow Division II head coaches.

West Chester (7-4, 5-2 PSAC East) is coming off a disappointing campaign as far as its own expectations are concerned. The Golden Rams finished out of the national rankings for the first time in four years and failed to reach the NCAA II playoffs for the first time since 2003.

The Golden Rams have been ranked in the AFCA preseason coaches' poll in four of the past five seasons and strung together a run of 15 straight weeks in the national polls from 2006 to 2008. West Chester was 20th in the preseason polls a year ago, eventually working its way up to 14th. The Golden Rams have now been nationally ranked at sometime during the season in each of the past eight gridiron campaigns.

West Chester is one of three Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) teams who are ranked in the AFCA preseason poll. Western Division favorite, California (Pa.), is ranked sixth nationally. The Vulcans reached the NCAA semifinals a year ago. Eastern Division rival East Stroudsburg is ranked 25th.

Five other PSAC institutions appear among others receiving votes -- all five are also on West Chester's 2010 schedule. Bloomsburg, Indiana (Pa.), Shippensburg, Edinboro and C.W. Post all received votes. The Golden Rams play a total of six teams, which appear somewhere in the preseason polls.

Northwest Missouri State, fresh off of their third national championship in 2009, opens up 2010 as the preseason favorite to win the national championship. This is the second time since the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Poll started in 2000 that the Bearcats have begun the season ranked No. 1. Northwest Missouri State received 22 first place votes, while 2009 national runner-up Grand Valley State (Mich.) received three and comes in ranked No. 2. North Alabama received the final first place vote, and is ranked No. 3, with Minnesota-Duluth and Central Washington rounding out the Top 5.

Fans can catch their first glimpse of the 2010 West Chester University Golden Rams when camp officially opens on Thursday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. Head coach Bill Zwaan has a situational scrimmage scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 2:45 p.m. and two full scrimmages on Aug. 21 and Aug. 27.

West Chester University opens its 2010 regular-season slate at Delaware on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. inside Delaware Stadium. The Rams' home opener is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. against Edinboro.

2010 AFCA Division II Football Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank School (First-Place Votes) 2009 Record Points 2009 Final Ranking
1. Northwest Missouri St. (22) 14-1 645 1
2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (3) 13-2 621 2
3. North Alabama (1) 11-2 580 6
4. Minnesota-Duluth 11-2 549 5
5. Central Washington 12-1 499 3
6. California (Pa.) 11-4 489 7
7. Abilene Christian (Texas) 9-4 435 13
8. West Liberty (W.Va.) 11-2 420 9
9. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 11-3 400 4
10. Washburn (Kan.) 8-3 339 25
11. West Texas A&M 7-5 337 NR
12. West Alabama 8-5 313 21
13. Nebraska-Kearney 11-2 296 8
14. Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.) 9-3 235 19
15. Nebraska-Omaha 7-5 232 NR
16. Texas A&M-Kingsville 9-3 216 16
17. Tuskegee (Ala.) 10-2 210 17
18. Hillsdale (Mich.) 10-3 188 11
19. Midwestern St. (Texas) 9-3 163 14
20. Missouri Western St. 9-3 160 NR
21. Minnesota St.-Mankato 10-2 127 12
22. West Chester (Pa.) 7-4 122 NR
23. UNC-Pembroke 9-2 115 20
24. Delta St. (Miss.) 5-5 93 NR
25. East Stroudsburg (Pa.) 8-4 74 NR

Others Receiving Votes: Texas A&M-Commerce, 73; Valdosta St. (Ga.), 59; Bemidji St. (Minn.), 56; Wingate (N.C.), 49; Bloomsburg (Pa.), 34; Tarleton St. (Texas), 32; Albany St. (Ga.), 30; Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 28; Colorado School of Mines, 27; St. Cloud State (Minn.), 17; Benedict (S.C.), 16; Morehouse (Ga.), 15; Indiana (Pa.), 14; Shaw (N.C.), 14; Augustana (S.D.), 13; Findlay (Ohio), 13; Winona St. (Minn.), 13; Central Missouri, 11; Charleston (W.Va.), 11; Shippensburg (Pa.), 11; Angelo St. (Texas), 9; Shepherd (W.Va.), 9; Bentley (Mass.), 8; Chadron St. (Neb.), 6; Southern Connecticut St., 6; Arkansas Tech, 4; Southeastern Oklahoma St., 4; Edinboro (Pa.), 3; C.W. Post (N.Y.), 2; Fort Valley St. (Ga.), 1; Henderson St. (Ark.), 1; Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), 1; Wayne St. (Neb.), 1; Western Oregon, 1.

=====================================

2010 K.C. KEELER SHOW

From: http://www.wdsd.com/pages/udkckeelershow.html

Every Wednesday night live from 7-8pm at Klondike Kate’s on Main
Street in Newark

Join Mike Corey, the Voice of the Blue Hens, and Head Coach K.C. Keeler
every Wednesday night throughout the season for The Klondike Kate's K.C.
Keeler Show from 7-8pm at Klondike Kate's on Main Street in Newark.

Send an Email with your questions prior to the show to
UDFootball@wdsd.com 

Miss a Show? All K.C. Keeler Shows are archived online!
Click Here to Visit the Audio/Podcast Page to hear any show from the
2010 Season.

2010 K.C. KEELER SHOW
Every Wednesday night live from 7-8pm at Klondike Kate’s on Main
Street in Newark


THE OFFICIAL HOME OF THE K.C. KEELER SHOW
For Reservations and Directions Call: (302) 737-6100
www.klondikekates.com 
Parking will be Validated

Wednesday September 1st
(T-Shirt Night)

Everyone attending receives a Free UD Football T-Shirt Courtesy of
National 5 + 10


Wednesday September 8th
(Car Wash Night)
Everyone attending receives a Coupon for money off a Car Wash Courtesy
of Newark Car Wash on Elkton road in Newark


Wednesday September 15th
(Game Program & Media Guide Night)
Everyone attending will receive a Free UD Football Game Program or
Media Guide Courtesy of University of Delaware Media Relations


Wednesday September 22nd
(It's Not just Football T-Shirt Night)
Everyone attending will receive a Free T-Shirt Courtesy of Pro Physical
Therapy


Wednesday September 29th
(Duffel Bag Night)
Everyone attending receives a Free UD Football Duffel Bag Courtesy of
National 5 + 10


Wednesday October 6th
(Ultimate Fan Experience)
Everyone will recieve a chance to win sideline passes and a visit to
the broadcast booth during a home UD Football game Courtesy of 94.7
WDSD


Wednesday October 13th
(Golf Night)
Everyone will recieve a chance to win free golf passes as well as a
complete golf package Courtesy of Traditional Clubs of Williamsburg, VA


Wednesday October 20th
(Wilmington Trust Night)
The First 50 Fans in attendance will receive a Free Gift (TBA) Courtesy
of Wilmington Trust


Wednesday October 27th
(Klondike Kate's Night)
Everyone attending will receive a Free Gift (TBA) Courtesy of Klondike
Kate's


Wednesday November 3rd
(Legends Night)
Meet and get autographed pictures from some of the great UD Football
Legends - Players TBA


Wednesday November 10th
(Silent Auction Night)
Bid on great items including merchandise, autographs, tickets and more!
Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware


Wednesday November 17th
(Senior Night)
Meet and get autographed pictures from all the UD Football Seniors from
the 2010 team


Wednesday November 24th
(Fan Appreciation Night)
Prizes and more for everyone attending this final regular season show
Courtesy of the University Bookstore 


Wednesday December 1st - If necessary 
Wednesday December 8th - If necessary 
Wednesday December 15th - If necessary 
Wednesday December 22nd - If necessary 
Wednesday December 29th - If necessary 
Wednesday January 5th, 2011 - If necessary 
Monday January 12th, 2011 - If necessary

13 Regular Season Shows / Maximum of 20
Last Show is always after the last game played

=============================================

Ex-QB finds a home

From: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/

August 27, 2010 - 
By Audrey Snyder Email
Collegian Staff Writer

There was a time when Pat Devlin dreamed of running out in front of the Penn State faithful.

An autumn afternoon, with fans packed in and around Beaver Stadium watching his every move: That was how the former four-star recruit assumed his college football career would go.

Maybe he'd be the quarterback who would continue to keep Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions near the top of college football's rankings. Perhaps all eyes would be on him, as Pennsylvania's all-time high school passing yardage leader went toe-to-toe with the rest of the Big Ten's top quarterbacks.

But two years and a transfer to the University of Delaware later, Devlin is a testament to how dreams don't always go as planned. With the Lions still undecided on their starting quarterback -- as they try to pick from three players who combined for just 13 collegiate passing attempts -- Devlin, a mid-round NFL draft prospect, is poised to face the Colonial Athletic Association's (CAA) best competition, leaving behind a muddy quarterback situation for his former team.

Had he not approached Paterno for his release before the 2009 Rose Bowl, it's hard not to wonder what Devlin's career could've been.

But don't even try bringing that question up to him.

"No, not at all," he said about staying up-to-date with Penn State football. "I'm focused on what I'm doing here and I love my position here."

After former quarterback Daryll Clark beat out Devlin for the starting job in 2008, the season was supposed to be Devlin's chance to run the offense.

But minimal playing time and another year as the backup weren't helping his career aspirations, he said.

"When I sat down with Joe, he was great about it," Devlin said of Paterno. "I explained my reasons and he explained his reasons why I should stay. And I said, 'Coach, that's not going to work for me, and I think it'll be in my best interest.' And he was great about it. He said, 'You know, Pat, I don't want to hurt your career, and if you feel like that's best for you, so be it.' "

Standing in front of the home sideline at the University of Delaware's Tubby Raymond Field, the senior was doing what he does best.

Out of the shotgun formation with an empty backfield, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback was dissecting the Blue Hen's defense.

It wasn't too flashy as he led the first-team offense in the two-minute drill, but a series of quick outs, coupled with a few quarterback keepers had his offense on the move.

As Devlin's cadence forced the defense to scramble before it called timeout, there was no denying his transition to the Football Championship Series (FCS) program has been seamless.

"Even though he has the ability to throw the ball and run the ball, it's all the other things that make him a great guy to be around, a great teammate, a great leader and a really good player," said Jim Hofher, Delaware's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. "And he still has plenty of room to keep developing as a quarterback, and that's what's fun."

The 250 people in the stands for the intrasquad scrimmage were a far cry from the thousands of Penn State faithful who pack into Beaver Stadium any chance they get.

And despite playing an FCS schedule with a head coach who has just 62 wins with the program, Devlin is happy.

"We're just taking it one practice at a time, one day at a time," said Devlin, sporting a green No. 17 practice jersey. "Our goal is to win every day and win those small battles. Those small battles add up, you know, and hopefully when we get to the season we can put it all together."

With Devlin's name appearing on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List -- the only FCS player to do so -- there are lofty expectations for the former Lion.

Devlin shrugged off the notion the bar is set higher for him than it was when former Delaware quarterback and current Baltimore Raven Joe Flacco was entering his final season, but the preseason accolades keep rolling in.

NFLDraftScout.com projected Devlin as the third-best senior quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft class, while Ourlads.com scouting director Dan Shonka said Devlin's strong arm makes him a likely third- or fourth-round pick.

"He's a guy that's got a lot of natural tools," Shonka said. "It just kind of depends on the year he has and how many people come out for this draft. He's definitely got talent, a strong arm, good size and is a smart guy. I don't know if he'll do what [Joe] Flacco did there, but he's certainly got a lot of talent."

While the Blue Hens went 6-5 and missed the playoffs during his first season in 2009, Devlin threw for 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns. Add in four rushing touchdowns and there are already several NFL scouts inquiring about attending practices and games.

"If you're a I-AA player, or you're in a non-automatic qualifying league, you're gonna have to be a dominant player in your league," Hofher said. "Whether there's a bias for the BCS programs by the NFL scouts or not, you need to be a dominant player with a CAA schedule if you're going to have a chance to play pro football."

But for the time being, Devlin isn't too concerned about the future.

With shouts of 'Come on, O-line, keep it up,' coming from the quarterback's mouth, there's just one thing that's on his mind this season.

"It doesn't matter what list you're on at the beginning of the season, it's about what you do during the season," Devlin said. "And with me, I wasn't satisfied with last year. I came here to win games and win championships."

As Devlin broke the huddle and shared high-fives with his offensive linemen, it didn't matter that half the crowd -- many of whom sported Flacco jerseys and T-shirts -- had already left.

On this hot August afternoon Devlin was focused on improving his timing with his wide receivers and helping the rest of his teammates make it through another day of practice.

"I think we're probably past that point of saying, 'Oh man, that's really neat,' " Hofher recalled of the reaction many of Devlin's teammates shared when he first arrived on campus. "It's just another part of our daily lives."

Even when Devlin zipped a 35-yard pass across the middle after the play was whistled dead and the football drilled an unsuspecting teammate square in the facemask, all his teammates could do was laugh.

But as long as he's firing passes for the Blue Hens, the NFL hopeful is no laughing matter for the opposition.

=======================================

University of Delaware Announces Addition of University of Pittsburgh to
Future Football Schedules

DATE: August 26, 2010 - UD Sports Info Dept

NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware and the University of
Pittsburgh have announced that the two Eastern football powers will meet
on the gridiron in non-league games during the 2014 and 2019 seasons.

Delaware, a member of the NCAA Division I Football Championship
Subdivision (FCS), will take on the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
Panthers on Aug. 30, 2014 and on Aug. 31, 2019. Both games will be
played at Pittsburgh’s 65,050-seat Heinz Field. The two teams will
meet for the first time ever in the sport of football.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to play a program that
annually ranks among the nation’s best,” said Delaware head coach
K.C. Keeler, whose team defeated FBS Navy in both 2003 and 2007 on the
way to berths in the national championship game. “Our schedule is
consistently ranked among the toughest at our level of football and
playing a team the calibre of Pitt only enhances that. I’m know that
our players and our fans will be excited as well.”

In addition to playing Pittsburgh, the Blue Hens will also take on
another FBS opponent when Delaware again travels to Navy on Sept. 3,
2011 and on Sept. 14, 2013. Both games will be played at Navy-Marine
Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Md.

Although Delaware does not play an FBS opponent this fall, Delaware has
moved up a level to play an opponent each of the past three seasons and
five times in eight seasons under Keeler. The Blue Hens annually rank
among the NCAA leaders in strength of schedule, ranking No. 2 among all
FCS schools in 2007 and 2009 and No. 3 in 2008.

Delaware will play all three of their non-league games at home this
season, hosting NCAA Division II power West Chester Sept. 2, 2009 NCAA
Tournament qualifier South Dakota State on Sept. 11, and Duquesne on
Sept. 18. During the 2011 campaign, the Hens will travel to Navy and
host West Chester and Delaware State. In 2012, Delaware will play host
to West Chester and Delaware State.

The 2012 game vs. West Chester will mark the final game in the series
vs. the Rams, which has been played every season 1968 except for 2001
when the Sept. 11 tragedies forced the game to be canceled. The series
was the longest running series in UD football history.

=======================================

University of Delaware Football Debuts at No. 19 in Football
Championship Subdivision Coaches Pre-Season National Poll

DATE: August 23, 2010 - UD Sports info Dept.


SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The University of Delaware football squad, which
will open its season in 10 days when the it hosts West Chester on Sept.
2 at Delaware Stadium, earned its second Top 20 national ranking of the
pre-season Monday as the Blue Hens were picked No. 19 in the NCAA
Division I Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll.

Delaware, looking to improve upon last season’s 6-5 mark, was one of
six Colonial Athletic Association squads listed in the Top 20. Last week
the Blue Hens were selected No. 16 in The Sports Network media Top 25
pre-season poll. The FCS and TSN polls are the two official rankings
that will be released each week during the season.

Defending national champion and Blue Hen rival Villanova captured the
top spot in the poll as the Wildcats earned 667 points and picked up 22
of the 30 first place votes. Montana, the 2009 national runner-up was
second with 632 points and two first place votes while Appalachian State
was at No. 3 with 622 points and four first place mentions.

William & Mary was picked No. 4 followed by Southern Illinois,
Richmond, Elon, Stephen F. Austin, New Hampshire, and South Dakota State
in the top 10.

McNeese State was ranked No. 11 in the poll followed by South Carolina
State, Northern Iowa, Eastern Washington, James Madison, Eastern
Illinois, Jacksonville State, Weber State, Delaware, and Liberty in the
Top 20. Prairie View A&M was at No. 21 followed by Colgate, Northern
Arizona, Montana State, Cal Poly, and Holy Cross in the Top 25. A total
of 39 other schools, including CAA entries Massachusetts and Maine, also
earned votes in the poll.

Delaware will play four teams in the top 10 this season as the Hens
host No. 1 Villanova on Nov. 20, travel to No. 4 William & Mary on Oct.
23, travel to No. 6 Richmond on Sept. 25, and host No. 10 South Dakota
State on Sept. 11. The Hens will also travel to No. 15 James Madison on
Oct. 2.

The Blue Hens, who return 40 letter winners and 17 starters from last
year’s squad for head coach K.C. Keeler, will be eyeing a return to
the post-season for the first time since advancing to the 2007 national
title game.

Season ticket packages and single game tickets remain for the 2010
season and are available by logging on to www.bluehens.com or calling
302-831-2257.

AGATE:

2010 FCS Coaches Pre-Season Top 25 Football Poll: 1. Villanova (22
first place votes), 667 points; 2. Montana (2), 632; 3. Appalachian
State (4), 622; 4. William & Mary, 587; 5. Southern Illinois, 551; 6.
Richmond, 484; 7. Elon, 474; 8. Stephen F. Austin, 413; 9. New
Hampshire, 409; 10. South Dakota State, 403; 11. McNeese State, 376; 12.
South Carolina State, 341; 13. Northern Iowa, 333; 14. Eastern
Washington, 327; 15. James Madison, 290; 16. Eastern Illinois, 236; 17.
Jacksonville State, 208; 18. Weber State, 186; 19. Delaware, 185; 20.
Liberty, 171; 21. Prairie View A&M, 135; 22. Colgate, 98; 23. Northern
Arizona, 87; 24. Montana State, 85; 25. Cal Poly and Holy Cross.


===============================================

Keeler Sees Plenty of Positives as University of Delaware Takes Part in
Second Football Scrimmage

DATE: August 19, 2010 - UD SPORTS INFO DEPT.

NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware football squad showed plenty
of positives Thursday morning as the Blue Hens took part in their second
scrimmage of the pre-season under sunny skies at Delaware Stadium.

The Blue Hens, who will take off Friday and resume pre-season drills
Saturday morning, took part in over 100 plays during the nearly two-hour
session with quarterbacks Pat Devlin, Trevor Sasek, and Tim Donnelly all
seeing ample time under center.

“I thought our guys really competed today,” said Keeler, whose
team, ranked No. 16 in the pre-season Sports Network poll, will open the
season Sept. 2 vs. West Chester at 7 p.m. at Delaware Stadium. “We saw
some good hitting, our guys were running around, and we got more snaps
in than I thought we would. The important thing is that we got out of
here healthy. We saw too many little things (penalties, missed
assignments) that will hurt us in a game that we only have two weeks to
take care of, but for the most part we had a lot of positives out
there.”

Athlete photoNearly 20 players sat out due to minor injuries, including
starting defensive backs Anthony Walters, Tyrone Grant ,and Anthony
Bratton, tight end Colin Naugle, linebacker Matt Marcorelle, offensive
tackle Shea Allard, and defensive linemen Quincy Barr, Carl Batson, and
Matt Hardison. However, senior defensive tackle Siddiq Haynes, who had
shoulder surgery in the off-season, returned to live hitting Wednesday
and played well in the scrimmage.

“We have really worked hard in camp and we probably won’t stay in
full pads too much longer,” said Keeler. “Fortunately we expect to
get a lot of bodies back this weekend. We are really interested to see
how good we can be when we get everybody back. We look good on paper,
but we need to get them all back and playing together. Having Siddiq
back made us a different defense today and we could see the tempo
change. The defense got after it pretty good.”

Among the offensive highlights on the day were sophomore running back
David Hayes, last year’s leading rusher, breaking off for a 70-yard
touchdown run early in the session and later adding a 25-yard jaunt, and
Devlin hitting redshirt freshman wide receiving Mike Milburn on a short
touchdown and later connecting with freshman wide receiver Stephen Clark
on a 40-yard pass down the right sideline to the two-yard mark.

Sophomore Leon Jackson followed the Devlin to Clark pass play with a
short burst up the middle for a touchdown.

In addition to the inspired play by Haynes and the defense, freshman
defensive back Blair Menefee came up with the biggest defensive play of
the day when he intercepted a pass from Devlin that was tipped and raced
60 yards for a touchdown down the right side.

On special teams, kickers Mike Perry and Sean Baner and punter Ed
Wagner all looked sharp once again. Baner connected on six field goal
attempts, including a long of 37 yards, and hit the right upright on a
52-yard attempt. Among Perry’s successful kicks was a 42-yard field
goal.

Delaware will return to practice this weekend with two sessions on
Saturday followed by 8:15 a.m. starts on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. No
further scrimmages are scheduled.

=====================================================

Flacco grants special wish at training camp

Colson Tackett was the star of Ravens training camp on Monday, throwing passes back and forth with quarterback Joe Flacco.

Colson is a 5-year-old from Brooklyn Park who is battling leukemia. He was able to meet Flacco as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Two years ago, Colson watched Flacco’s first game during one of his in-patient stays. Wearing his black No. 5 jersey, he cheered for Flacco right in the middle of treatment.

“To be able to meet the guy that brought a smile to his face when he was down in the dumps, it’s a great thing for him to do,” said Nicholas Tackett, Colson’s father.

After tossing the ball around with Flacco, he got a farewell fist-bump with the quarterback. Colson's parting words were to Flacco: “Win the Super Bowl.”

For more information about Colson, please visit his personal web site.

==================================

Villanova tops Top 25 preseason poll

8/16/10 - http://www.sportsnetwork.com/

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Voters in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 have chosen 2009 national champion Villanova first in the 2010 preseason poll.

The Wildcats, who won the Football Championship Subdivision title for the first time last December, were installed as a prohibitive No. 1 in the Preseason Top 25 released on Monday. They gained 104 of the 126 first-place votes and 3,112 points.

Montana, which has lost in the last two FCS championship games, was the No. 2 team in the poll with 2,899 points, receiving nine first-place votes. The Grizzlies were followed in the top five by Appalachian State, William & Mary and Southern Illinois.

Villanova will be tested by the competition in the Colonial Athletic Association, which landed the most teams in the Preseason Top 25 with six, all in the top 16. In addition to Villanova and William & Mary, Richmond was sixth, New Hampshire 10th, James Madison 15th and Delaware 16th.

CAA Football has had a national finalist in each of the past four seasons and six of the last seven, including national champions Delaware (2003), James Madison (2004) and Richmond (2008) to go along with coach Andy Talley's Wildcats last season.

Villanova returns a wealth of talent, led by 2009 TSN First Team All-Americas Ben Ijalana at left tackle and Matt Szczur at wide receiver and kickoff return, as well as fellow seniors Chris Whitney at quarterback and Terence Thomas at linebacker.

"In my particular feeling, the (2009) season was phenomenal," Villanova head coach Andy Talley said. "We had talent, we also had a certain amount of luck. We stayed pretty injury-free, and had the ability to maybe take that thing the whole way. And everything broke just right for us. Going into 2010, we have the same mixture of players. We have a good team that could be capable of defending. However, the question remains if we have the chemistry to do what we did last year and if this team will come together."

After Richmond at No. 6, the Top 10 followed with No. 7 Elon, No. 8 Stephen F. Austin, No. 9 South Dakota State and No. 10 New Hampshire.

The second 10 starts at No. 11 with defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion South Carolina State, followed by McNeese State, Eastern Washington, Northern Iowa, James Madison, Delaware, Jacksonville State, Eastern Illinois, Weber State and Prairie View A&M.

Big South favorite Liberty was No. 21, followed by Colgate, Penn, Montana State and Holy Cross.

During the regular season, the Top 25 will be released every Monday afternoon, except for on the final weekend when it will be released on Sunday morning, Nov. 21, due to its use as an official tool by the NCAA Division I Football Committee in selecting the 20-team playoff field.

The Sports Network and Fathead.com will release a final Top 25 following the FCS championship game, which will be held Jan. 7 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

=======================================

Former Univ. of Delaware Football Standout David Boler Returns to
Coaching Staff; Perry Moves to Running Backs Coach

DATE: August 16, 2010 - UD Sports Info Dept.

NEWARK, Del. -- David Boler, who starred as a wide receiver for the
University of Delaware football team and led the Blue Hens to the 2003
national championship, has returned to UD to serve as an assistant
coach, head coach K.C. Keeler has announced.

Boler, who coached the last season at Citrus College in Glendora,
Calif., will serve as tight ends coach for the Blue Hens, replacing
Aaron Harris who took a high school teaching and coaching position in
Florida earlier this summer after two seasons on the UD staff as running
backs coach.

Longtime UD assistant coach Gregg Perry, who served as the Hens’
tight ends coach the last two seasons, will move over to coach the
running backs.

“We are excited to add David to the Blue Hen coaching staff,” said
Keeler. “He was an outstanding player for us and played a major role
in our national championship season in 2003. We knew he always had
coaching aspirations and he gained valuable experience as a high school
and junior college coach the last three seasons. I know our tight ends
will flourish under his direction.”

A native of Covina, Calif., Boler first attended the University of
Southern California before transferring to Delaware where he enjoyed a
stellar three-year career, leading the Blue Hens to the NCAA I-AA
national title in 2003 with a 15-1 record under Keeler. He also led the
Blue Hens to an NCAA I-AA Tournament berth in 2004. He did not play his
senior year in 2005 due to an injury suffered in pre-season.

Boler, who earned his degree in leadership from Delaware in 2009, put
up big numbers during his career with the Blue Hens, catching 27 passes
for 489 yards and three touchdowns in 2002, hauling in 60 receptions for
716 yards and nine touchdowns in 2003, and recording 65 catches for 903
yards and three touchdowns in 2004.

He left Delaware as the Blue Hens No. 5 all-time pass reception leader
with 152 and ranked No. 4 in receiving yards (2,108), and No. 5 in
touchdown receptions (15). He also tied a school record with 16
receptions in a game vs. Navy in 2004 and his streak of catching at
least one pass in 28 straight games ranks third all-time at Delaware. He
earned third team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors as a junior
in 2004 and was a four-time Blue Hen Touchdown Club Offensive Player of
the Week during his career.

Following his playing career, Boler served a two-year internship in
business and marketing at Pro Acceleration Physical Training in
Ogletown, Del. before heading back to his home state and serving as an
assistant coach at his alma mater, Charter Oak High School, for two
seasons. While coaching, he also served as a trainer at Elite Core
Performance Training in Covina, Calif.

Boler joined the Citrus College coaching staff in July, 2009 and worked
with the running backs under head coach Ron Ponciano. Citrus College is
a junior college that competes as a member of the National Division
Central Conference.

===============================

Delaware free safety counts himself blessed

August 16, 2010

By Keith Pompey Philly Inquirer Staff Writer


Delaware free safety counts himself blessed

August 16, 2010

By Keith Pompey - Philly Inquirer 

NEWARK, Del. - Anthony Walters can only shake his head in gratitude.

The Delaware free safety has experienced the sort of unconditional love and guidance over the years that he'll never forget.
MARK CAMPBELL / University of Delaware

Free safety Anthony Walters (left) is Delaware's active leader in tackles (183), solo tackles (129), interceptions (nine) and pass breakups (23). He's fourth all-time in forced fumbles (four).

Walters believes that support - more so than his tireless work ethic - has helped him become arguably the most versatile Blue Hen.

He had his older brother, Will Walters, who never let him settle for giving anything less than 100 percent.

He had his mother, Lisa Bloxom, who always kept a watchful eye on him and demanded that he'd become well-spoken and college educated.

And he had his stepfather, Deitrick Bloxom, who was always making sacrifices to be at his side.

"Without my dad, none of this would have been possible. I really believe that," Walters said last week at Delaware Stadium.

The fifth-year senior from West Philadelphia is on pace to get a degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management in the spring. He'll become the first college graduate in his family.

"And between my brother, my mom and my dad, my immediate family has always been there," he said. "So when I'm playing, I definitely think I represent my whole family."

Since redshirting in 2006, Walters has started in 37 games. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has stood out at cornerback and strong safety through his first three seasons.

As a result, Walters, who turns 22 on Sept. 19, is Delaware's active career leader in tackles (183), solo tackles (129), interceptions (nine) and pass breakups (23).

He ranks fourth all-time in forced fumbles (four) at Delaware.

"He's a very intelligent football player," Blue Hens strong safety Anthony Bratton said. "He's been able to learn all of the positions easily."

Looking to utilize his ball-hawking skills, Delaware moved the 2009 first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association cornerback to free safety this summer.

"I like it. Free safety is more fun," Walters said. "You are always busy. You are always around the ball. At corner, if they are not throwing your way, you are kind of just hanging out."

Walters added that just being a four-year starter is gratifying enough.

"Where I grew up [59th Street and Cobbs Creek], not a lot of people made it out of there from the people I know," Walters said.

"You had drug dealers driving around in new cars," Will Walters said. "So guys didn't feel as though going to school was going to get them [money and fame] instead of being patient."

As a way to keep her sons out of trouble, Lisa Bloxom did not permit them to hang out in the neighborhood.

"If they wanted to spend time with their friends, I would have their friends come over my house," she said. Among the few times when her sons went outside unsupervised: when they attended school or went to play basketball across the street.

Anthony Walters' competitiveness as a quarterback for the Greater 69th Street Wildcats caught the eye of coaches at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Delaware County.

Even though Walters commuted an hour each way on a train and two buses to school, he knew that playing for the Catholic League football power would land him college scholarship offers.

He ultimately surprised people by picking Delaware over Wisconsin.

"I don't regret coming here at all," Walters said. "I learned so much from being here. I think the opportunity for the next level [in the NFL] is wide open. So I can't regret being here."

There is, however, one morning he'd like to forget.

Walters served a one-game suspension during his redshirt sophomore season after being charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and underage consumption of alcohol after a party at an off-campus residence Oct. 12, 2008.

"The charges were dropped," he said. "I ended up missing a game because my name was in the paper. [The Newark police officers] thought I was somebody else."

Even so, Walters said, the incident was a learning experience.

"One thing that is for sure is that I learned that I represent a lot more than just myself in everything I do," he said.

Now Walters gears up for his final campaign at Delaware.

As always, his family is just as excited about this season as he is. For the last three seasons, Will Walters and the Bloxoms planned their vacations around Delaware's schedule.

"It's funny, because during my adulthood, I've never cried," Will Walters said. "But when I see him out there, even when he's doing bad, I get mushy-eyed. I get mushy, because I see where he came from."



Contact staff writer Keith Pompey at 610-313-8029 or kpompey@phillynews.com.

===========================================

Keeler Pleased as University of Delaware Football Takes Part in First
Scrimmage of Pre-Season Saturday

DATE: August 14, 2010 - UD Sports Info Dept.

NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware football head coach K.C. Keeler
admits that his team has a long way to go to be ready for its season
opener Sept. 2, but he had plenty to be pleased about after the Blue
Hens took part in their first scrimmage of the pre-season Saturday
afternoon at Delaware Stadium. 

The Blue Hens took part in approximately 100 plays during the
100-minute session, which drew nearly 300 spectators on a partly cloudy
and comfortable day. The team received a big round of applause at the
close of the scrimmage. 

“All in all, we were pleased,” said Keeler, whose team will take
part in its second scrimmage this Thursday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. at
Delaware Stadium. “I was happy with the way the kids competed and that
is a start. We are only 19 days away from playing a ball game (Sept. 2
vs. West Chester) and we still have a lot of work to do to be ready.
“Our offense came out really strong, moved the ball, and finished off
some drives,” said Keeler. “And our defense really rose to the
occasion during the second half of the scrimmage. They showed great
tempo and consistency at times and competed hard. We are playing without
five of our top seven defensive lineman so that skews things a little.
It makes a big difference playing without Siddiq Haynes (shoulder), Irv
Titre (leg), and Carl Batson (out four weeks with broken tibia suffered
this week) along with newcomers like Matt Hardison (hamstring) and
Quincy Barr (broken hand) who have showed signs early that they can help
us. I was also happy with the way Mike Perry kicked the ball. He has
shown consistency and is striking the ball well. Sean Baner also kicked
the ball off well.”

Among the offensive highlights on the day were freshman RB Andrew
Pierce (at right) scoring on two short bursts up the middle and also
weaving between defenders for an impressive nine-yard scoring run, QB
Pat Devlin hitting TE Colin Naugle on a short touchdown pass across the
middle, a 20-yard sweep around the left end by RB Leon Jackson, a diving
catch by WR Phillip Thaxton from Devlin on the sideline to set up a
touchdown by Pierce, and a 20-yard scoring strike from third-string QB
Tim Donnelly to WR Brian Brown over the middle near the close of the
session. 

Among the defensive highlights was LB Andrew Harrison picking off a
tipped pass by Devlin midway through the scrimmage. In addition, Perry
and Baner combined to make all but one field goal and extra point on the
day. 

Notes....In addition to Haynes, Titre, Batson, Hardison, Barr, and LB
Kyle Hunte (out two weeks with a bone bruise to his knee), also sitting
out the scrimmage due to minor injuries were OT Shea Allard (groin), OT
Brandon Heath (shoulder), WR Tommy Crosby (back - no contact), WR Nihja
White (hamstring), S Anthony Walters (hamstring), and DB Ricky Tunstall
(back)....in addition to Devlin and Donnelly, backup QB Trevor Sasek
also saw extensive action during the scrimmage...sixth-year senior MLB
Matt Marcorelle was available to play but did not see action...Naugle
suffered a minor ankle injury after catching his touchdown pass on the
first series but did not return to action...after taking Sunday off, the
team will return to practice with double sessions on Monday and
Wednesday (7:15 am and 4:15 pm) with a single session scheduled for
Tuesday at 8:15 a.m....great season tickets packages and single game
tickets are still available at www.bluehens.com.

==============================================

University of Delaware Football Squad Takes Part in Media/Photo Day at Delaware Stadium; First Scrimmage of Pre-Season Set for Saturday

DATE: August 13, 2010 - UD Sports Info Dept.

NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware football team hosted its
annual Media/Photo Day on the new FieldTurf surface at Delaware Stadium
Wednesday afternoon.

Blue Hen fans and nearly 20 local and regional media member from
various newspapers, radio stations, and television outlets were on hand
to meet the coaching staff and the 90 players in camp and conduct
interviews, take photographers, and obtain autographs.

Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler (at right), who will begin his ninth
season at the helm this fall, has welcomed back 40 letterwinners and 17
starters as the Hens look to improve upon last year’s 6-5 record.

“You have to like that we have 17 seniors returning,” said Keeler,
whose team has been ranked in the Top 20 in almost every pre-season Top
25 national poll. “You have to like that we have about 30 guys who
started at least one ball game in this league. The key thing for us is
staying healthy. We were in those close games last year, but we missed
45 starts due to injury and we can’t do that again. We need to keep
our guys on the field. This is a deeper team though, so if we had an
injury or two, we could survive a lot better than we did last year.”

Delaware will take part in its first of two scrimmages this Saturday,
Aug. 14, at 4:15 p.m. at Delaware Stadium. The event is free and open to
the public.

The team will resume practice Sunday at 7:15 a.m. and will take part in
a second scrimmage on Thursday, Aug .19 at 3 p.m. The season opener is
set for Sept. 2 vs. West Chester at Delaware Stadium. 

==========================================

Devlin unflappable like an old Joe

Craig Haley
Sports Network
6 August 2010


Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - When people ask, Delaware football coach
K.C. Keeler prefers not to compare his current quarterback, Pat Devlin, to
his former standout at the position, Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens.



Ask Keeler if Devlin feels the wear and tear of being the focus all the
time, with fans, media and oncoming defensive ends and linebackers who are a
little less star-struck by him, and, well, let the comparisons begin.



"That's the one area that I say, 'OK, let's talk about them'," Keeler said,
"because nothing bothered Joe and nothing bothers Pat. I mean, nothing
bothers him. Those two guys are just unflappable.



"Pat gets it. You know, 'I'm the quarterback, I know I need to do all the
interviews.' Not that he necessarily wants to, but, 'I know I need to do
that and I know that I need to have the offensive line over for a barbeque
after spring practice.' That's Pat; Pat gets it. That's the same way with
Joe. Joe got that, too."



A quarterback like Devlin is in elite company when he can be compared to
Flacco. Of course, that's part of the territory - and pressure, if you will
- for starting quarterbacks of Delaware's successful program. Their list is
impressive, including Jeff Komlo, Scott Brunner, Rich Gannon, Andy Hall and
Flacco. Brunner led the Blue Hens to the NCAA Division II title in 1979 and
Hall guided their FCS champions in 2003, while Komlo (1978, Division II) and
Flacco (2007, FCS) reached national title games, and Gannon was their most
successful pro quarterback, winning the NFL Most Valuable Player award in
2002.



To his credit, Devlin doesn't make Delaware's upcoming season about himself.
The senior is expected to be the first FCS quarterback taken in the 2011 NFL
Draft, with current projections suggesting around the third round, but he
has only team goals in mind. His Blue Hens want to improve off last year's
6-5 finish and challenge for the CAA Football title.



"I'm focusing on every part of my game," he said. "Anything that will help
Delaware this year is what I'm focusing on. I need to make sure I'm in good
enough shape so I can run the ball, I need to make sure that I have good arm
strength, continue to work on my progressions, continue to work on my
footwork and all that kind of stuff. Every single thing you can pick apart
watching film and try to get better at."



The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Devlin could have been Penn State's starting
quarterback this fall had he not grown dissatisfied while sitting behind
Darryl Clark and having to wait until the job opened up this fall. He
transferred to Delaware after the 2008 season, just as Flacco went from the
University of Pittsburgh to Delaware before the 2006 campaign.



Devlin, strong, accurate and possessing a quick release, had a strong junior
season last fall, leading the CAA in passing yards per game (242.18) and
total offense per game (253.7), while finishing second in passing rating
(139.12). He completed 220-of-344 passes for 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns,
while throwing nine interceptions, and set a school record with 42
completions against FCS champion Villanova. He also rushed for four
touchdowns.



The Blue Hens, though, were in a season of transition, and not because of
their new quarterback. Their skill-position players were young, the
offensive line was in the development stage and standout tight end Josh
Baker was lost to injury. Devlin waded through the growing pains and
remained a patient leader.



This season should be quite different, and Devlin envisions leading Delaware
back to the playoffs after a two-year absence. The running backs and linemen
are more experienced, and Keeler calls his receiving corps the best in the
CAA, with Mark Mackey, Tommy Crosby, Phillip Thaxton the top options.



"We thought (Devlin) played well last season," Keeler said. "I think he'll
even play better this year just because he's even more comfortable.



"If there's a glitch in the operation, he's now picking up the glitch and
he's changing it there on the line of scrimmage."



"I think we developed a little bit more trust throughout the season last
year. And definitely in the spring, I thought we played extremely well," the
22- year-old Devlin said. "We need to keep on progressing and we need to
keep on talking to the coaches about what we feel we can do, what our
strengths are and how we can capitalize on the strengths."


Devlin has been nominated for the Walter Payton Award, sponsored by
Fathead.com. Last year, he finished 17th in the voting for the award that
honors the outstanding player in the FCS.
===============================

Devlin tops 2011 draft prospects from non-BCS schools

Chad Reuter

NFLDraftScout.com / CBSSports.com

Aug. 5, 2010

It is no coincidence that the top-rated player on the list of top non-BCS
prospects comes from the same college as the last non-Football Bowl
Subdivision quarterback picked in the first round of the NFL Draft. 



Pat Devlin transferred from Penn State after his sophomore season -- just as
current Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco did from the University of
Pittsburgh in 2006 -- in order to become a starter on a successful FCS team.
The Ravens traded into the 18th overall pick to select Flacco in 2008, and
his success as a rookie starter couldn't have hindered Devlin's move to
become a Fighting Blue Hen. 



The comparisons between Devlin and Flacco don't end there: both have NFL
builds and throwing arms and have the in-pocket mobility to find a passing
lane. If Devlin can step up and lead his team deep into the FCS playoffs
like Flacco did in his senior year (a championship-game loss to powerhouse
Appalachian State), general managers throughout the league might project him
to be worthy of a high draft pick. 



Several other FCS prospects will warrant consideration in the top 100 in
April. Massive yet mobile defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis of Hampton was
dismissed from South Carolina before his redshirt sophomore season for
multiple violations of team rules. All-American left tackle Benjamin Ijalana
reminds scouts of fellow 2009 first-team Colonial Athletic Association pick
Vladimir Ducasse from UMass, last year's late second-round pick of the New
York Jets. Receiver Cecil Shorts III, from Division III power Mount Union,
will also remind scouts of a 2010 prospect -- The Citadel's Andre Roberts, a
third-round pick -- because of their similar build, excellent hands, ability
to run crisp routes and elude defenders in the open field. 



And before eschewing the likelihood of players from smaller FBS programs
listed below making an impact on the NFL, consider that former East Carolina
running back Chris Johnson ran for over 2,000 yards last year for the
Titans, TCU alum RB LaDainian Tomlinson has had a Hall of Fame career and
Denver Broncos stud left tackle Ryan Clady learned his trade at Boise State.




Over the past decade, at least 10 seniors from outside the Big Six
conferences were selected in the draft's top two rounds. Given the talent
listed here (and several other players just on the outside looking in),
expect the impact of this group on the 2011 draft class to be as strong as
ever. 



10. Dwayne Harris, WR, East Carolina, 5-feet-10, 205 pounds, 4.52 in 40 

Harris is an all-purpose threat like Chris Johnson, but he relies more on
his elusiveness and tough running style. The former quarterback has a
running-back build, receiver's hands (first-team All-Conference USA with
83-978-7 in 2009) and can also excel as a return specialist (three kickoff
returns for touchdowns last season). 



9. Jaiquawn Jarrett, FS, Temple, 6-0, 197, 4.57 

The Owls' program is on the rise under coach Al Golden and will have some
interesting prospects over the next few years. Jarrett is the best of the
senior class. His willingness as a run-stopper and fluid hips in coverage
made him a first-team All-MAC pick in 2009 and a versatile prospect with a
shot to start at the next level. 



8. Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State, 6-3, 201, 4.61 

Pettis and Titus Young (6-0, 170, 4.48) form one of the best receiving duos
in the country, and could be top-125 selections. Pettis won't run away from
a lot of NFL corners, but his 63 receptions for 855 yards and 14 touchdowns
last year showed that he doesn't need a lot of room to make plays because of
his toughness and exceptional hands. In a league where receivers find it
difficult to gain separation from top corners, quarterbacks will appreciate
his ability to rein in any pass in his general vicinity. 

7. Nathan Enderle, QB, Idaho, 6-4, 234, 4.98 

Fits perfectly as a late second- or early third-round selection, a
good-sized quarterback with moxie and a quick release. Enderle's completion
percentage and touchdown-interception ratio have improved in each of his
three years as a starter. His arm and mobility are about average, and his
footwork in the pocket needs to be tightened. Don't be surprised if he ends
up a starter in the NFL. 



6. Benjamin Ijalana, OG, Villanova, 6-4, 320, 5.34 

He has not missed a start in three years at left tackle, and looks like a
man among boys at the FCS level. His athleticism and arm length will likely
be his shot at an all-star game to prove himself on the outside, but his
build and inexperience against top competition might force teams to start
him in the interior, like Ducasse will with the Jets. 



5. Cecil Shorts III, WR, Mount Union, 6-0, 190, 4.43 

Colts receiver Pierre Garcon has helped boost the stock of his fellow Purple
Raider, but Shorts' 1,736 receiving yards and 27 total touchdowns (eight
rushing) in 2009 would have gotten attention in any case. Though not as
strong as Garcon, this Ohio native's combination of straight-line speed and
elusiveness is worthy of consideration early in the draft as a potential
contributor as a third receiver and return specialist (with the upside to be
more in the future). 



4. Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton, 6-5, 340, 5.07 

Hugely talented (literally), Ellis plays more like a penetrating
three-technique (15 tackles for loss in 2009) than the nose tackle many make
him out to be, much like former East Carolina tackle and Giants 2010
second-round pick Linval Joseph. That versatility, combined with his
freakish size-speed combination, might allow teams to overlook his dismissal
from South Carolina. 



3. Dontay Moch, OLB, Nevada, 6-1, 236, 4.38 

His production (35 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, six forced fumbles over the
past two seasons) and elite speed have put scouts on notice. Plays with his
hand down for the Wolf Pack, but will likely transition to linebacker at the
next level because of his speed and lack of bulk. The 2009 WAC Defensive
Player of the Year must work on chasing more plays and getting off blocks to
avoid being labeled a pass-rush specialist and special teamer. 



2. Davon House, CB, New Mexico State, 6-0, 190, 4.46 

House (three interceptions, 13 pass breakups) steps into the spotlight in
2010 after sharing first-team All-WAC recognition with New York Jets 2010
first-round pick Kyle Wilson last season. House has the physical attributes
teams want in a starting corner, and another season of improvement in the
mental aspects of the game could push him into the same general area of the
draft in which Wilson was selected. 



1. Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware, 6-3, 225, 4.82 

Devlin is the third-ranked senior signal-caller behind Washington's Jake
Locker and Florida State's Christian Ponder entering the season. He lacks
the rocket arm and 6-foot-6 frame that shot Flacco into the middle of the
first round, but if few underclass quarterbacks come out, a team in need of
a passer might give this ex-Nittany Lion a shot in the top 40. 



Top underclassmen to watch: 


3. Adrian Robinson, OLB, Temple, 6-2, 245, 4.66

2. Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State, 6-4, 215, 4.86

1. Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU, 6-6, 329, 5.14 

======================================

Catuzzi played quarterback for the University of Delaware

Al Iannazzone

Bergen Record

August 3, 2010 

Larry Catuzzi was hired to build football offenses in the 1960s. Today, the
retired Carlstadt native is helping build stadiums and arenas in Houston and
one very special park.


Catuzzi, 73, is vice chairman of the Houston Sports Authority. Since Catuzzi
joined the board more than a decade ago, three new sports complexes have
been built in Houston: Reliant Stadium (the Texans' home), Minute Maid Park
(home of the Astros) and Toyota Center, where the Rockets play. Another
stadium, for the Houston Dynamo of the MLS, also is in the works.



Even though he's been out of coaching for roughly 40 years, sports remain in
Catuzzi's blood.



"I stay close to sports," he said from his summer home in the North Carolina
mountains. "It's always been a big part of my life, always will be."



His passion for sports started when he was growing up in Carlstadt. He was
an All-State quarterback and shortstop at East Rutherford High School -
which is now Becton.



"Like everybody at that time, I played football, basketball, baseball," said
Catuzzi, who graduated in 1956. "I was a skinny little kid when I started. I
guess as I matured, football became a little more available to me."



Catuzzi played quarterback for the University of Delaware, where he gained
intimate knowledge of the Wing-T offense. That expertise led to him becoming
the offensive coach at Dayton and Indiana. Both schools sought Catuzzi
because they wanted to implement the Wing-T.



Later, Catuzzi worked on Woody Hayes' staff at Ohio State and was
responsible for recruiting recently deceased Jack Tatum of Passaic, Bruce
Jankowski of Fair Lawn and John Brockington. All three played in the NFL.



Catuzzi kept bouncing around. He served as head coach at Williams College in
Massachusetts and was part of a group that bought the Houston Texans of the
World Football League. Catuzzi was coach and part-owner. But that investment
lasted a year.



Catuzzi then took a job with the Baltimore Colts. But with three young
daughters, his wife Barbara, also of Carlstadt, didn't want to move anymore.
Catuzzi left the Colts for his family.



"I was 33 when I gave up football," Catuzzi said. "I coached for about 11
years, which I enjoyed. I loved it. I had a lot of opportunities at an early
age. It was a lot of fun, but difficult on the family."



He became an investment banker and worked in that field until retiring, but
remained involved in sports.



He's on the advisory board for the Houston Texans, the Texas Bowl board, the
University of Delaware Athletic Council, and was on the Super Bowl Committee
when Houston hosted the game in 2004.



Catuzzi, an avid golfer and tennis player, also is on the board of directors
of the American Diabetes Association and The Flight 93 Federal Advisory
Commission.



"I would say although retired I'm probably busier than I've ever been,"
Catuzzi said.



Taking up much of his time and helping fill a hole in his heart is his work
with The Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Foundation.



Catuzzi's daughter, Lauren, was on San Francisco-bound Flight 93 that was
hijacked by terrorists and taken down near Shanksville, Pa. on Sept. 11,
2001.



Through Lauren's foundation, which provides funding for projects and
activities benefiting women and children, a park the size of one city block
is being built in downtown Houston and will be completed later this month.
It will be called "Lauren's Garden" and part of it will be dedicated to the
victims of 9/11.



"It will have a dog park, eating kiosk, walkways, flowers, shrubbery and
trees - a lovely park," Catuzzi said. "The Foundation been a way for us to
remember Lauren and maybe grieve in a different way."



For information on the Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Foundation or to
contribute, visit lcgfoundation.org.



http://www.northjersey.com/sports/99817469_Catuzzi_still_close_to_sports.htm
l

====================================

2011 Season Ticket Donation Requirements:

July 2010 From: UD Season Ticket Office:

Premium Boxes in front of D & K - $500
Premium Boxes in front of C, E, J & L - $300
Premium Boxes in front of B, F, I & M - $175
Premium Boxes in front of A, G, H & N - $125
Sections D & K - $125
Sections C, E, J & L - $75
Sections B, F, I & M - $50
No donation required for A, G, H, N, NEZ (U-Z) or SEZ (student section)

"Beginning with the 2011 football season, University of Delaware athletics will implement the Blue Hen Club Seating Program. Under this plan, a per-seat donation will be required in order to purchase football season tickets. The seat donation will NOT be in addition to existing donations made to qualify for preferred parking, it will be inclusive of those requirements. It is also important to note this will NOT be a complete re-seating of Delaware Stadium and during the implementation all season ticket holders will have the first right of refusal to maintain their current locations."

There is much more info in the brochure, which is about 10 pages including stadium and parking maps. It touches on the one-time seat transfer policy, how to declare your 2011 seating intentions (retain, upgrade, relocate or waive), and a formula for calculating your minimum donation for 2011.

"In an effort to accommodate as many Blue Hen Club members as possible, season ticket holders will receive one parking permit for every four season tickets held in the 2011 football season (1-4 season tickets, 1 permit; 5-8 season tickets, 2 permits, etc.)"

=======================================

University of Delaware Announces Return of Lyle Hemphill to Football
Coaching Staff

DATE: July 21, 2010 - UD Sports Info

NEWARK, Del. -- Lyle Hemphill, who served on the University of Delaware
football staff as a graduate assistant during the 2004-05 seasons, has
returned to the Blue Hens to serve as cornerbacks coach, head coach K.C.
Keeler has announced.

A Delaware native who played at St. Elizabeth High School, Hemphill
spent the last four seasons at Hofstra University as an assistant to
head coach and former UD defensive coordinator Dave Cohen. Hofstra,
Delaware’s rival in the Colonial Athletic Association, dropped the
sport this past winter. At Delaware, he will assist defensive
coordinator Nick Rapone with the UD secondary.

Hemphill joined the Hofstra staff as a defensive assistant in 2006 when
Cohen was named head coach and later served as defensive backs coach for
three seasons and special teams coordinator for two years. As defensive
backs coach, he directed a unit that annually ranked among the
conference leaders in interceptions and pass defense.

Hofstra led the CAA and ranked No. 4 in the nation in pass defense in
2008 and ranked second in the league in interceptions with 12 in 2007.
The 2009 team ranked fourth in the CAA in pass defense. On special
teams, Hofstra ranked second in the CAA in kickoff returns in 2008 and
fourth in 2009.

A 2002 graduate of Ursinus (Pa.) College, Hemphill began his coaching
career in 2002 when he served as special team coordinator and defensive
backs coach at Delaware Valley College. After two seasons with the
Aggies, which included a 9-2 mark in 2003, he accepted the graduate
assistantship at Delaware.

While at Delaware in 2004 and 2005 he worked on the defensive side of
the ball and also assisted with punt team protection and punt block. The
2004 Blue Hen squad posted a record of 9-3, won the Atlantic 10 South
Division title, and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.

In 2006 Hemphill joined Cohen's Hofstra coaching staff as defensive
backs assistant. He was promoted to defensive backs coach and recruiting
coordinator following the 2006 season and assumed the special teams
coordinator's role in 2008.

Hemphill earned a bachelor's degree in politics and international
relations from Ursinus and also earned a master's degree in education
administration from the Delaware.

He played strong safety for four years at Ursinus and also competed for
the wrestling team for one season. He served as a volunteer assistant
wrestling coach at his alma mater, St. Elizabeth High School in
Wilmington. His father, Joe, is one of the most successful high school
football coaches in Delaware history, serving at St. Elizabeth for over
35 years.

Lyle and his wife, Christen, reside in Ambler, Pa.

===========================================

University of Delaware Sports Information Director Scott Selheimer
Honored for Service at CoSIDA Convention

DATE: July 16, 2010 - UD Sports Info

SAN FRANCISCO -- University of Delaware Assistant Director of Athletics
for Media Relations and Sports Information Director Scott Selheimer was
honored last week with a 25-Year Service Award at the annual College
Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) conference.

Selheimer, who joined the Blue Hen athletics staff in 1985, was one of
16 sports information directors honored with a 25-year award at the
annual four-day convention, which was held at the San Francisco Marriott
Marquis.

Last summer, Selheimer was honored with the Irving T. Marsh Service
Bureau Award at the annual Eastern College Athletic Conference-SIDA
Workshop held in Avalon, N.J. That award is given annually to a member
of the ECAC Sports Information Directors Association (ECAC-SIDA) who has
exhibited excellence in the field of sports information.

Selheimer, who recently completed his 25th year with the UD athletic
department and his 18th as Sports Information Director, was named
Assistant Athletics Director, Media Relations during the summer of 2007.
He oversees the publicity for the University’s NCAA Division I
22-sport athletics program.

Selheimer has won several awards from CoSIDA since arriving in Newark,
including the 1990, 1997, and 2008 UD football media guides that were
judged “Best in the Nation.” His 1991, 1992, and 1993 football
guides were judged “Second in the Nation”, while he co-edited four
football guides that were rated “Third in the Nation.”

He currently serves as a member of the CoSIDA Academic All-American
Committee and has previously served as assistant chair of the Charity
Committee and on the Publications Contest Committee.

=====================================

Flacco gives kids day to remember

Mark Eckel 
Trenton Times
July 16, 2010

ROBBINSVILLE - How much of an impact can being around a NFL quarterback and
him throwing you a few passes during a workout at a football camp have on a
youngster? 


As Justin Orzo walked out of the Robbinsville Recreation Department Football
Camp yesterday at Robbinsville High, he clutched his Joe Flacco-autographed
football in one hand, looked up at his father and said as only a child
could, "this was the best day of my life.''



The youngster may have better ones before it's over, until then getting to
meet Flacco, who made an appearance at the camp for the third straight year,
will suffice.



"This is awesome,'' the Baltimore Ravens quarterback said. "You get out here
throw some passes to the kids. They enjoy it, I enjoy it, it's a good day.''



Flacco has had his share of good days since being the Ravens first-round
draft choice of the University of Delaware in 2008.



In his two years as the Ravens' starter, the team has made it to the
playoffs and won at least one playoff game both years.



It's the first time in NFL history that a head coach, former Eagles
assistant John Harbaugh, and a quarterback, Flacco, have won playoff games
in each of their first two years in the league.



"We got a good thing going,'' Flacco said of the Ravens' success. "We've
been right there both years. We haven't made it all the way, but we were
there. This year hopefully we'll take it that extra step.''



The days of five-year, or even three-year, plans in the NFL are over.
Demanding owners and fans want to win now. So a rookie quarterback starts
from day one.



"I'm not sure there is a right way or a wrong way to do it,'' Flacco said.
"There are different ways to do it. In my case, I think it was good that I
got a chance to play right away. I was ready for it. That's the big thing
being ready, mentally ready and I felt I was. It was better for me to be out
there and just do it on the fly. The question is, can you handle it.



"But I was fortunate to be on a good team and in a good atmosphere. I knew
for sure when Ray Lewis accepted me. If Ray thinks you can play, you play.
If Ray doesn't think someone can play, then the rest of the team is going to
think the same thing.''



Flacco, whose career passer rating is an efficient 84.9 (88.9 last year),
has shown he can play.



In Harbaugh and Flacco's rookie years the Ravens made it to the AFC
Championship Game as a wild-card team before losing to eventual Super Bowl
champion Pittsburgh for the third time that season.



Last year the Ravens again made the playoffs as a wild-card team and beat
New England in the first round of the playoffs before losing to eventual AFC
champ, Indianapolis.



"We've had our chances,'' Flacco said. "This year we made some additions I
think should help us and we'll see what happens. I think we have a good
team.''



Baltimore signed free agent wide receiver Dante Stallworth and then traded
with Arizona for Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin.



"If nothing else, I hope it's an excuse to throw the ball more, be a little
more aggressive,'' Flacco said. "Both of those guys are going to help us
win. They just fit in with us really well, and that's just as important,
maybe even more important, than how they are on the field.



"When I heard about Dante signing and then the trade, individually I knew it
would be good for me. But it also showed we're trying to get something done.
We're going to be better as a team. But yeah, they're definitely going to
help me.''



Come next February 6, maybe Joe Flacco will share the same sentiments as
young Justin Orzo did yesterday.



From: http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2010/07/eckel_flacco_gives_kids_day_to.ht 
ml

======================================

Flacco can't stay away from South Jersey

Celeste E. Whittaker 

Cherry Hill Courier-Post 

July 15, 2010 

HARRISON - It all started here for Joe Flacco, the Baltimore Ravens starting
quarterback.


Not here on the football field at Clearview Regional High School, where he
made an appearance Wednesday morning to speak at a youth football camp run
by his former high school football coach, but on many football fields around
South Jersey -- where he first developed a love for the game.


Now, Flacco, 25, makes a habit of showing up at local football camps --
particularly those run by Mark Deal, who coached him for three seasons at
Audubon High School. Deal, who was named head football coach at Clearview
last month, said his prized pupil is all about giving back.



"He gives back. He doesn't have to do these things," Deal said. "Joe's
great. My first relationship with him, coaching him at Audubon, he was great
back then. He went on to be a Division I quarterback in college. He was
always willing to help out and come back and work with the kids in the
community and give back to his roots. When I changed jobs and went over to
Gateway, we started a camp there and he came back a couple of times and did
that.



"First-round draft choice and all. That didn't change him at all. He's the
same guy. You wouldn't know that he's a multimillion dollar athlete playing
in the NFL, starting quarterback. He's always been really good like that."



About 27 youths, from second to eighth grade, are attending the four-day
camp at Clearview. In addition to Flacco, former NFL players Kenny Jackson
and Blair Thomas, Rowan football coach Jay Accorsi and Rowan football team
captain Matt Hoffman have made appearances at the camp, which began Monday.



On Wednesday, it was all about Flacco. There were a few No. 5 Baltimore
Ravens jerseys in the crowd. Flacco talked to the children for about 20
minutes, took questions, then signed autographs and posed for pictures.



"It's pretty cool," said Flacco, who flew in Tuesday night from Utah, where
he attended a golf tournament related to a youth football camp run by Ravens
teammate John Beck. "Coach Deal has been great for me, in high school and
even beyond, so anytime I get a chance to come out and help him out and see
some of the kids that he might be coaching in the future, a few years from
now, it's kind of cool.



"He had a lot to do with why I'm successful. He made a good impression on me
and, hopefully, he can do the same thing for these kids and, hopefully, I
can do anything to help him try to accomplish that."



Flacco started his college football career at the University of Pittsburgh
before transferring to the University of Delaware, where he had a
record-setting career as a quarterback.



The 6-foot-6, 235-pounder was selected with the 18th overall pick of the
2008 NFL Draft by the Ravens. He has put together two solid seasons in the
league, starting all 32 regular-season games for the Ravens and passing for
6,584 yards and 35 touchdowns. He led them into the playoffs both years,
including a berth in the AFC Championship Game as a rookie. He'll begin his
third NFL training camp July 27.



Flacco, a former Courier-Post Scholar-Athlete, implored the young athletes
Wednesday to keep their heads in the books, listen to their parents and go
all out on the football field.



"The biggest thing you have to do, you have to get in the books," Flacco
told the children. "Listen to your parents, try to make them proud. I have a
really close relationship with my parents."



Then came the questions:



Who's your favorite player on the Ravens? "I am," Flacco quipped.



How big are your feet? "My cleats are a size 13."



How old are you? "Twenty-five."



How tall are you? "A little more than 6-6, nearly 6-7."



The kids couldn't get enough of Flacco.



"I really like quarterbacks," said 12-year-old Clint Matthew of Mullica
Hill. "I think he's really cool for going to camps and stuff. He's one of my
favorite players. I got his autograph on an index card."



Said 10-year-old Kyle Thompson, also of Mullica Hill: "This camp is really
fun. Once I heard that Joe Flacco was coming, I was really excited. These
coaches here are really good to us. They teach us a lot of cool things."



"It's really fun," said Gary Searle, 13, of Harrison Township. "Kenny
Jackson came and he said if you're working in the summer, then you're going
to be better than all of the people that are just sitting on their couches
at home and not practicing football. Seeing Joe Flacco was pretty cool."



Flacco's father, Steve, stood nearby watching his son give out life
instructions.



"We're fortunate that he's home a little bit this time of year, before they
go away (to training camp)," Steve said. "We're real good friends with Coach
Deal. Every year we go to his camp. As long as Joe can get here, this
stuff's fun. He'll spend the morning here. Joe will kind of let the kids say
hello. This is fun. There are a lot of young kids out there, so it's really
good."



Said Deal: "We appreciate it, obviously. It's a big influence on the kids.
Teaching them lessons on how to get to that level, doing the right things to
progress from high school to college, and so on."

================================================

University of Delaware Football Fans Have Chance to Pick New Blue Hen Player Banner to Hang at Delaware Stadium

DATE: July 15, 2010 - UD Sports Info Department

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

NEWARK, Del. -- From now through June 27, University of Delaware football fans will have the chance to pick their favorite Blue Hen player of all-time as part of an on-line contest at www.bluehens.com. 

During those two weeks, Blue Hen fans can select the next former Delaware great to have his banner fly at Delaware Stadium. 

The former UD player that receives the most votes will have his image shown prominently on a banner upon entrance into Delaware Stadium beginning this fall. The winner will join the likes of Chuck Hall, Conway Hayman, Rich Gannon, Daryl Brown, Eddie Conti, and Joe Flacco whose banners were unveiled last season. 

The ballot, which includes names and short biographies of 20 candidates, is available at www.bluehens.com and located near the bottom of the UD athletics homepage. Fans can select up to three (3) of their all-time football favorites, including any write-ins. The list of candidates includes Herb Beck, Hugh Bogovich, Darrell Booker, Mike Brown, Scott Brunner, Billy Cole, Omar Cuff, Doc Doherty, Jimmy Flynn, Dennis Johnson, Gardy Kahoe, Don Miller, Matt Morrill, Mike Renna, George Schmitt, Herb Slattery, Tony Stalloni, Buck Thompson, Tony Toto, and Bill Vergantino. 

The player banner will be unveiled the week prior to the 2010 season opener Sept. 2 vs. West Chester. 

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

======================================
2010 Seven finalists return to Walter Payton Award Watch List

Sports Network 07/12/10:

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The race for the 2010 Walter Payton Award, sponsored by Fathead.com, kicked off Monday with The Sports Network's announcement that seven finalists from last season are part of a stellar 20- player Watch List for the Football Championship Subdivision's top individual honor.

The Payton Award is in its 24th season and will be presented to the FCS national player of the year on Thursday, Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas - the night before the national championship game. The award will change hands this season after Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards (a 2010 draft choice of the Carolina Panthers) became the first two-time Payton winner in 2008 and '09.

The 2010 Watch List includes three players from the defending FCS champion Villanova Wildcats: senior wide receiver/kickoff returner Matt Szczur; senior quarterback Chris Whitney; and senior offensive tackle Ben Ijalana. Szczur was a write-in candidate on the 2009 ballot and finished 21st in the voting.

Stephen F. Austin senior quarterback Jeremy Moses was the highest vote-getter among the returning players, finishing in seventh place. The other returning finalists are Northern Arizona senior quarterback Michael Herrick, who was ninth; Weber State senior quarterback Cameron Higgins, who was 10th; Montana senior running back Chase Reynolds, who was 13th; Delaware senior quarterback Pat Devlin, who was 17th; and Elon senior quarterback Scott Riddle, who was 23rd as a write-in candidate.

The Watch List includes 11 quarterbacks. The other five are Prairie View A&M senior K.J. Black; Old Dominion sophomore Thomas DeMarco; South Carolina State senior Malcolm Long; Montana senior Andrew Selle; and Dayton senior Steve Valentino.

Other running backs are Samford senior Chris Evans, Eastern Washington junior Taiwan Jones, South Dakota State senior Kyle Minett, Appalachian State senior Devon Moore and William & Mary junior Jonathan Grimes. Southern Utah senior wide receiver Tysson Poots joins the Watch List as well.

Among the returning players to the Watch List, Moses is coming off a junior season in which he led the FCS in completions per game (29.6), touchdown passes (40) and total passing yards (4,124). Herrick threw for 3,356 yards, including 574 against Eastern Washington. Higgins, also a finalist in 2008, when he finished sixth, has thrown for 9,762 yards and 83 touchdowns during his career. Reynolds helped Montana reach the FCS championship game in each of the past two seasons, rushing for a combined 3,085 yards and 44 touchdowns. Devlin is part of a long line of outstanding quarterbacks at Delaware, and threw for 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

Szczur, who was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft last month, was the MVP of the Wildcats' title win over Montana and finished the season with 2,239 all- purpose yards and 15 touchdowns. Riddle enters his senior season with Southern Conference career records for completions (894), pass attempts (1,374), passing yards (10,033) and touchdown passes (78).

The Payton Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2010 season, when updated lists are announced on Oct. 4 and 25. Ballots will be sent to a panel of approximately 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 22. Three finalists will be announced on Dec. 1 and invited to The Sports Network/Fathead FCS Awards Presentation the night before the national championship game.

The Sports Network also presents the Buck Buchanan and Eddie Robinson awards which are sponsored by Fathead. The Buchanan Award honors the FCS defensive player of the year and the Robinson Award honors the FCS coach of the year. Those two winners will join the Payton finalists at the national awards banquet

=====================================

Marcorelle training in Strongman gym

Event begins at noon Saturday at Cowboy's BBQ 

Bryan Garner WPTV

9 July 2010 

Video news report at:

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_st_lucie_county/gym-owner-hosts-'strongm 
an'-competition-in-ft.-pierce

FT. PIERCE, Fla. - Seven months ago former marine Tony Montgomery decided to
open his own gym in Port St. Lucie.



"I always played football and never really had a place to train and I
figured why not start something up on the Treasure Coast it's what I'm
passionate about, it's what I love to do," he says.



But one look around the Samson Strength and Conditioning gym, and you'll
see, this is not your typical fitness center.



You'll find people swinging hammers, lifting two hundred pound chains, and
pulling themselves up on ropes.



"It builds mental toughness and makes them more physically prepared by
strengthening up the core, the back, the stuff you're not going to hit
mostly in the gym," he says.



It's all part of the "Strongman" training.



You've seen the car flipping, log lifting contests on ESPN.



Now college athletes, like University of Delaware football player Matt
Marcorelle, and even regular Joe's are using the techniques to try and
achieve a new level of fitness.



"This is real functional strength training and it really helps you and you
know it's sport specific," said Marcorelle.



Marcorelle demonstrates the log press, lifting a simulated metal log over
his head as many times as he can in 60 seconds.



Then there's the Atlas lift, in which competitors heave 240-350 pound
concrete balls



"The concrete tends to want to rip your skin off so you just gotta grip
through it and pick it up," says Montgomery.



And the unbelievable tire flip. Competitors lift and flip tires that weigh
in up to 1000 pounds.



Saturday Montgomery will host an amateur "Strongman" competition in Ft.
Pierce that will attract some of the toughest competitors from across the
country..



"We have a 13 year old kid competing all the way up to a 48 year old masters
class," he says.



The event begins at noon Saturday at Cowboy's BBQ on Okeechobee Rd. in Ft.
Pierce.

========================================

Ben Albert loved virtually everything about his time at the University of
Delaware.

Keith Idec

Bergen Record

6 July 2010


The Paterson native was associate head coach for one of the most
tradition-rich football programs in Division I-AA. The Blue Hens also have
one of the largest, most supportive fan bases in that division.



And Albert's wife, Lisa, gave birth to their two children, 3-year-old Maya
and 1-year-old Elijah, in Delaware.



But when Joe Cullen, Albert's position coach when he was a defensive tackle
for the University of Massachusetts in the early 1990s, called about a
potential leap to the NFL, the former Passaic Tech standout knew he was
prepared to coach at football's highest level. Jacksonville head coach Jack
Del Rio hired Cullen to become the Jaguars' defensive line coach in January.



Several weeks later, Del Rio added Albert to his staff as an assistant
defensive line coach. The notoriously long hours worked by NFL assistants
didn't deter him, nor did changing coaching gigs for the sixth time in 13
years.



"If you want to be the best at what you do, you have to be willing to commit
the time," Albert, 38, said. "And I've always had a great passion for
football, both playing and now coaching. It's not like I'm working. I can't
believe I get paid to do what I do."



Albert had hoped that after four good years playing football at
Massachusetts he'd get paid to play in the NFL.



When that didn't happen, Albert turned to coaching at his alma mater, where
he was defensive line coach for two seasons before the University of
Richmond hired him as its defensive line/linebackers coach in 1997.



He followed four years at Richmond with a season as Greg Schiano's defensive
line coach at Rutgers, two more years at UMass, another season at Richmond
and four years at Delaware.



Along the way, Albert established himself as a thoughtful, tireless
recruiter who maintained genuine concern in players graduating.



Passaic Tech football coach John Iurato, who remains close to Albert, hardly
is surprised Albert's circuitous journey has led him to the NFL.



"He has always been a hard worker," said Iurato, who coached Albert during
his final two seasons at Passaic Tech. "He has put his dues in. He has
coached a lot of positions, he's knowledgeable, he presents himself well and
he has always been a very good recruiter. He's been very consistent over the
years. He's energetic, he's smart, he's got everything going for him."



Longtime Paterson Catholic football coach Benjie Wimberly believes Albert
also is a symbol for Paterson's youth.



While Paterson's Mike Adams, Victor Cruz, Eric Downing, Gerald Hayes, Devon
McDonald, Ricardo McDonald, Marcel Shipp and David Thompson all have reached
the NFL as players the past two decades, Albert has become the first NFL
coach from Paterson in that time.



"I just can't express how important I think it is for Ben to be in this
position," said Wimberly, who has known Albert for 20 years. "We always have
great athletes here from the city of Paterson, but for him to reach the
levels he made it in college, from assistant coach to associate head coach,
and now make it to the NFL, I just think it's unbelievable.



"I think Ben can make [coaching in the NFL] seem realistic for every kid who
grew up in the heart of this city. That impression is going to be a great
thing for the city of Paterson."



Albert is busy in Jacksonville helping reshape a defensive line that
produced a league-low 14 sacks last season, the fifth-lowest total in NFL
history, but he shares Wimberly's vision from afar. He hopes his rise
through the coaching ranks is an inspiration for kids in his hometown.



"I think it's very important to see someone from where you are have success
off the field, in their professional career," said Albert, who earned a
master's degree in education at Massachusetts. "It exposes you to things
that are other avenues or routes of escape from the perils of Paterson
street life."

====================================

VILLANOVA’S SZCZUR SIGNS MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CONTRACT; WILL RETURN TO VILLANOVA IN FALL
CAAsports.com
07/01/2010

VILLANOVA, Pa. (July 1, 2010) -- Villanova’s Matt Szczur, CAA
Football’s reigning Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year,
has signed a contract with Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs and
will report to one of the franchise’s minor league affiliates within
the next few days, it was announced today. The contract will allow
Szczur, a rising senior in football at Villanova, to return to campus
this fall and play his final year for the Wildcats which won the NCAA
Division I National Championship in 2009. 

Szczur begins his professional baseball career just a few weeks after
the Cubs made him their fifth-round selection in last month’s amateur
draft. He will be able to play baseball this summer before returning to
campus for the start of fall semester classes as well as preseason
football workouts. 

“I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to play professional
baseball. It has always been a dream of mine to play at this level,”
stated Szczur. “I could not have asked for a better situation. I am
thrilled to begin my professional baseball career in the Chicago Cubs
organization and also be able to return to Villanova for my senior year
and help my football teammates defend our national championship.”

As a baseball player for the Wildcats, Szczur batted .443 (77-174) and
became Villanova’s first .400 hitter in 13 years. He earned first
team All-BIG EAST recognition after leading the Wildcats in eight
offensive categories, and has since garnered All-East and All-ECAC
honors. Szczur had 13 doubles, seven triples and four home runs for
Villanova this season while drawing 14 walks and striking out only nine
times in 191 plate appearances. He posted a .487 on-base percentage and
a .667 slugging percentage.

In his junior campaign on the gridiron last fall, Szczur led the
Wildcats to their first-ever national championship. He was a consensus
first team All-American as well as the Colonial Athletic Association
Offensive Player of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year. In
the national championship game against Montana, he rushed for a
career-high 159 yards and gained 270 all-purpose yards en route to being
named the game’s Most Outstanding Player.

The numbers put up by Szczur during Villanova’s baseball season are
even more impressive considering that he missed 10 consecutive games in
April and May because of donating peripheral blood cells to a young
patient with leukemia. Szczur is a member of the national Be The Match
registry and was a match for a patient who only had a 1-in-80,000 chance
of finding a donor.

Szczur and the Wildcats will kickoff the 2010 season on Sept. 3, at 5
p.m., against Temple at Lincoln Financial Field on ESPN3.com.

CAA Football is blogging at caafootballblog.com...be sure to checkout
the official blog of CAA Football to find all sorts of information that
might not be at CAASports.com. CAA Football is also on Twitter...Fans
from all 10 schools can get up-to-date information by following the
league at twitter.com/The_CAAFootball. CAA Football will tweet
throughout this offseason and continue into the 2010 fall season. The
league is also active in the new media area and encourages fans to visit
us on YouTube: youtube.com/CAAFootball. Logon now and subscribe to see
the latest video productions from CAA Football.

==============================

UD unveils sketch of new stadium

Athletic director says drawing is 'conceptual' and doesn't include any actual plans

By KEVIN TRESOLINI • The News Journal • June 16, 2010

NEWARK -- An artist's rendering of a modernized Delaware Stadium revealed during a University of Delaware alumni function June 5 is purely "conceptual" and was done for "developmental purposes," UD athletic director Bernard Muir said Tuesday.

Muir confirmed that plans to upgrade and enlarge the Blue Hens' popular 22,000-seat football home, which opened in 1952, remain a high priority and are consistent with past declarations. Should such a project be completed, stadium capacity would increase to roughly 30,000.

The drawings revealed during UD president Patrick Harker's "A Vision of Excellence" speech during Alumni Forum and Reunion Weekend were the first made public by the university.

But Muir cautioned that Delaware is still in the fundraising stage of the project and no actual plans, costs or timetables have been formulated.

"We're not there yet," he said.

The endeavor is tied in with the construction of an athletic performance center in the north end zone, between the stadium and football practice fields. It would house football offices and locker rooms, facilities for athletic training, sports medicine, strength and conditioning and academic enrichment for all sports, as well as a UD Athletics Hall of Fame.

A new pressbox/luxury suite structure atop the West stands is also planned.

Harker also discussed other proposed improvements around campus, including, according to UD, a new science and engineering building, the coming Barnes & Noble bookstore in the old Christina School District building on Main Street, plans for the recently purchased Chrysler site and the closing of west campus residence halls and opening of new dormitories on east campus.

The stadium illustrations were trotted out before alumni, who remain UD's greatest source of financial assistance.

"This was a chance to re-energize our graduates," Muir said Tuesday in his Carpenter Center office, where he showed a three-minute video that was also viewed by alumni June 5 and has also been shown to prospective donors and others with a strong interest in "improving our athletic footprint," he added.

It reveals a refurbished Delaware Stadium with the north end bowled in by a 7,500-seat section with an exterior of red brick. The athletic performance center structure, covering 96,000 square feet, would be housed within, its large windows on the north side and corners providing ample views and incoming light.

The multi-level pressbox/luxury suite area, covering 50,000 square feet, would provide choice seating and state-of-the-art media facilities. Delaware Stadium presently has neither.

"This is only a snapshot of what the future will hold," Muir said.

===================

Will CAA dominoes keep falling?

June 2010 issue

By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director

http://www.sportsnetwork.com

[In The FCS Huddle] Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Even with all the maneuvering going on in college football, what has been developing in the Colonial Athletic Association is as incredible as any of the changes nationally.

The Big Ten and Pac-10 - if that's what you still want to call them - haven't faced nearly as much offseason change as CAA Football.

At the end of the 2009 regular season, the premier conference in the FCS had two programs drop the sport - first Northeastern, then Hofstra. Now word is filtering out (including via a Richmond Times-Dispatch report) that Rhode Island, which for decades has struggled to be competitive in a conference full of bigger members, is studying a possible departure from the CAA to join the smaller Northeast Conference for the start of the 2013 season.

CAA Football will get back two of the losses when Old Dominion joins the conference for the 2011 season and fellow independent Georgia State, which is debuting its program this season, will follow in 2012. Yet considering the conference has seen five different members play in six of the last seven FCS championship games, including champions Delaware in 2003, James Madison in 2004, Richmond in 2008 and Villanova in 2009, it hardly seemed like a conference that would encounter such change.

The possible move by Rhode Island wouldn't be surprising, however. Although this season will be the Rams' 110th season of football and they were one of six charter members of the Yankee Conference in 1947 (the conference became known as the Atlantic 10 in 1997 and then CAA Football in 2007), they don't have a successful tradition.

The Rams were on an elite level when two-time All-American quarterback Tom Ehrhardt led them to 10-win, FCS playoff seasons in 1984 and '85. But since then, they have posted winning records in only three of the last 24 seasons (6-5 in 1991, 7-4 in 1995 and 8-3 in 2001) while going a combined 81-185 (.305) overall and 48-145 (.249) in conference play. Second-year head coach Joe Trainer was 1-10 in his first season last year, including 0-8 in CAA games.

They had CAA Football's smallest attendance average in 2009 - 3,786 - in the conference's smallest stadium - 5,180-seat Meade Stadium - and lack the resources of many other schools in the conference, especially those in the south.

"The Northeast Conference and the University of Rhode Island are in productive and serious conversations regarding the University of Rhode Island becoming a football playing associate member of the NEC beginning in the year 2013," the NEC announced in a statement.

"Both parties are discussing the logistics linked with associate membership and a formal announcement regarding the status of a future partnership will be made by mid-August."

Rhode Island is allowed to offer the full 63 scholarships as a member of CAA Football, but that would drop to the 40 that the NEC will allow in 2012. The move would greatly improve the Rams' chance of reaching the FCS playoffs for the first time since Air Ehrhardt took them there. The NEC will have an automatic bid for the first time this season, and the Rams would be competitive with the nine NEC programs - Albany, Central Connecticut State, Duquesne, Monmouth, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (Pa.), Wagner and Bryant, which would provide an intrastate rival.

The question facing CAA Football is, have all the dominoes stopped falling? If Rhode Island makes the move, half of what was the North Division - Northeastern, Hofstra and Rhode Island - would be gone by 2013. That would not only take away winnable games for the former division's other three programs - Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire (who would be the last three remaining original members of the Yankee Conference) - but it would mean they will have to make a bigger commitment to football financially (including travel) to remain competitive with the southern schools in what will be a true Atlantic Coast conference. The conference powers are mostly in the south with Villanova, Delaware, Richmond, James Madison and William & Mary, and ODU and Georgia State seemingly are strong enough to surpass Towson.

CAA Football Realignment
It would appear CAA Football, which will use a one-division alignment in 2010, wants to get back to two six-team divisions. If Rhode Island remains in the conference, the 2013 alignment could be:

North Division - Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Villanova

South Division - Georgia State, James Madison, Old Dominion, Richmond, Towson and William & Mary


If Rhode Island leaves CAA Football for the Northeast Conference, future expansion could make the alignment:

North Division - Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Towson and Villanova

South Division - Georgia State, James Madison, Old Dominion, Richmond, William & Mary and the new member school
Without Rhode Island, CAA Football would have 11 programs, meaning it would need another member to restore two six-team divisions, which it had in recent seasons but won't this season as it switches to one 10-team alignment. Liberty or Stony Brook from the Big South Conference might be attractive to the CAA, or if a school with the resources of George Mason ever added football, it might be an ideal addition as well.

Still, it's possible all the chairs in the conference may not remain filled. UMass doesn't appear to be going anywhere soon (unless it's to the FBS, as some have suggested), and New Hampshire has been a national power since the late 1990s, but Maine struggles to keep up with the CAA programs that are from better-heeled states and have bigger stadiums, bigger fan bases, bigger athletic budgets and better high school talent. The Black Bears are much more competitive than Rhode Island, but they face an uphill battle as well.

While colleges want to be aligned with other conference schools on an academic level more so than on an athletic level, hard times on the playing field force athletic programs to make tough decisions - a la Northeastern, Hofstra and perhaps Rhode Island. So if Maine, long known as a hockey school, is going to make a hard decision, now would seem to be the time, perhaps in a piggyback move with Rhode Island to the NEC.

If both schools depart the conference, that really would make CAA Football unbalanced geographically.

Maybe the Big Ten and Pac-10 are relatively calm after all. 

====================

University of Delaware Football Standouts Devlin, Walters Named to
Consensus Draft Services Pre-Season All-American Team

DATE: June 8, 2010 - UD Sports Info Dept.

NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware seniors Pat Devlin and Anthony
Walters have been selected to the Consensus Draft Services Pre-Season
NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision pre-season honorable
mention All-American.

The team is made up of players at the FCS level who the CDS staff
predicts will be among the top players in the nation and have a chance
to be selected in the National Football League Draft in April, 2011.

Devlin, a quarterback from Downingtown, Pa. (Downingtown East High
School), and Walters, a safety from Philadelphia, Pa. (Cardinal O’Hara
High School), were among 18 Colonial Athletic Association players and
159 players nationally named to the team.

Devlin, a second-year starter for the Blue Hens in 2010 after
transfering from Penn State, enjoyed an outsanding first season in a
Delaware uniform last fall when he completed 220 of 334 passes for 2,664
yards and 16 touchdowns with nine interceptions and ran for 127 yards
and four touchdowns. A Walter Payton Award candidate as the top player
in NCAA FCS I football and a CoSIDA Academic All-American candidate,
Devlin led all CAA players in total offense per game (253.73) and
passing yards per game (242.2) and was second in passing rating (139.12)
in 2009. He ranks No. 8 among returning NCAA quarterbacks in passing
yards this fall.

Athlete photoWalters, a fourth-year starter, will move to a full-time
role at free safety this coming fall after switching between cornerback
and safety throughout his career. A first-team All-CAA selection in
2009, he has started all 37 career games and is Delaware’s active
career leader in tackles (183), interceptions (8), and pass breakups
(23). He led the team with 10 pass breakups and was No. 2 in tackles
with 55 in 2009.

Devlin was among eight quarterbacks honored on the list, joining first
team pick Gregg Denham of UC Davis, second team selection Scott Riddle
of Elon, and honorable mention choices Jeremy Moses of Stephen F.
Austin, Kyle Newhall-Caballe of Brown, Michael Herrick of Northern
Arizona, Cameron Higgins of Weber State, and Thomas DeMarco of Old
Dominion.

Walters was among nine safeties selected, joining first team picks T.J.
Heath of Jackson State and Mark Legree of Appalachian State, second team
selections Eugene Clifford of Tennessee State and Michael Landers of
Robert Morris, and honorable mention picks

Other CAA players honors by CDS were first team picks in offensive
lineman Ben Ijalama and Brant Clouser of Villanova, second team picks in
running back Jared Turcotte and linebacker Mark Masterson of Maine,
defensive tackle Yaky Ibia of Towson, cornerback B.W. Webb of William &
Mary, and linebacker Matt Hansen of Rhode Island, and honorable mention
choices in wide receiver Matt Szczur of Villanova, running back Jonathan
Grimes of William & Mary, offensive tackle Theo Sherman of James
Madison, defensive tackle Martin Parker, linebacker Eric McBride,
cornerback Justin Rogers, and offensive lineman Drew Lachenmayer of
Richmond, linebacker Tyler Holmes of Massachusetts, and cornerback
Steven Barker from Maine. 
========================

CAA FOOTBALL AND THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY MOURNS THE PASSING OF JOE GARDI

06/03/2010 - http://www.caasports.com

Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra University community mourns the passing of former Pride Football Coach Joe Gardi, who passed away Wednesday following a stroke suffered last week. He was 71 years old.

Gardi, who directed the Hofstra University football program from 1990 through the 2005 season, tallied a 119-62-2 record in his 16 seasons at Hofstra. Both his win total and .650 winning percentage rank second in Hofstra football coaching history. Under Gardi's guidance, Hofstra made the jump from NCAA Division III in 1990 to I-AA in 1994. During that time, the Pride became a nationally recognized I-AA program and earned five NCAA I-AA championship bids in his last 10 seasons. During his tenure, more than 90 school records, seven ECAC marks, and four NCAA records were either topped or tied by the Pride. Gardi also recorded 10 winning seasons during his Pride tenure.

A native of Harrison, New Jersey, Gardi was a first-team all-state selection as an offensive guard at Harrison High School in 1955. He attended the University of Maryland from 1956 to 1960 and was the Terrapins' co-captain and Unsung Hero Award winner as an offensive tackle and linebacker in 1959. At 20 years old, Gardi signed a contract with the Washington Redskins, playing in two preseason games in 1960 and also had a tryout with the Buffalo Bills in 1961.

In 1964 Gardi returned to football as head coach at The Oratory Prep in Summit, New Jersey. After a 0-9 season in his first year, he took that program, which had lost 37 consecutive games prior to his arrival, to records of 6-3 in 1965 and 5-4 in 1966. Gardi moved on to Roselle Park High School (New Jersey) to become Head Football Coach and teacher at a school that had not recorded a winning season in 10 years. After a 2-7 first season, Gardi led Roselle Park to a 6-3 mark in 1968 and a 9-0 slate and the state championship in 1969.

Gardi returned to the University of Maryland in 1970 as head freshman coach and recruiter. In his first season of recruiting the Long Island-Metropolitan area, Gardi signed five All-Long Island team players, including Bob Avellini from New Hyde Park, Joe Brancato and Frank Russell from Wantagh, and Jamie Franklin from Brentwood. The following season, he was named to coach the Terrapins' varsity offensive line. In 1972 Maryland's new coach, Jerry Claiborne, rehired Gardi to direct the receivers.

In 1974 Gardi left Maryland for a whirlwind tenure in the World Football League. He served as running backs and special teams coach for the Philadelphia Bell in 1974. Gardi was promoted to interim head coach for the 1975 season opener and led the Bell to a 31-30 victory over the Portland Thunder. Moving to the front office after that victory, Gardi was named head coach of the Thunder two months later and posted a 2-1 record in three games before the league folded.

From 1976 through 1984, Gardi served as an assistant coach with the Jets under three head coaches. He served as special teams/tight ends coach under Lou Holtz in 1976; special teams/linebackers coach from 1977 to 1980 and defensive coordinator in 1981 and 1982 under Walt Michaels; and assistant head coach/defensive coordinator under Joe Walton in 1983 and 1984. In 1981 the Jets formed the best defensive unit in the American Football Conference, allowing just 304 yards per game, while leading the NFL with 66 sacks. In the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Jets advanced to the AFC Championship game before dropping a 14-0 decision to Miami, despite holding the Dolphins to just 197 yards in the contest.

Gardi came to Hofstra after five years (1985-90) as assistant supervisor of officials for the National Football League. His duties in the League office included the evaluation, recruitment and training of college officials for positions in the professional ranks. Because of his knowledge and support of the officiating profession over the years, Gardi was named to the NCAA Rules Committee in 2003.

Gardi recorded the third undefeated regular season in school history in his first year at Hofstra in 1990. He also recorded the school's first-ever NCAA playoff victories, an NCAA East Regional championship and a berth in the national semifinals in 1990. Under his guidance the team posted eight victories in 13 I-AA games in 1991 and 1992, as the Pride prepared for the move to I-AA. Hofstra recorded a 6-3-1 mark in 1993, and an 8-1-1 record and a 22nd-place national ranking in 1994, the Pride's first official season as a I-AA member.

In 1995 Gardi directed the Dutchmen to a 10-1-0 regular season (losing only to I-AA national finalist Marshall, 30-28), as well as to the I-AA playoffs and Hofstra's first-ever I-AA top 10 national ranking-finishing ninth at the end of the regular season. In the process, Hofstra ranked in the top 10 in the country in seven team statistical categories. For his efforts, Gardi received numerous postseason coaching honors, including the Scotty Whitelaw Award from the Metropolitan Football Writers Association as the ECAC I-AA Coach of the Year. Gardi also became the first recipient of the Vince Lombardi College Coach of the Year Award from the Lombardi Foundation. The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame named Gardi the Division I-AA Coach of the Year, and the National Football League Players Association selected him its I-AA College Coach of the Year. Gardi also received the Long Island Sports Commission's Good Guy Award. A year later Hofstra was ranked in the top 10 in four team statistical categories, including rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense.

In 1997 Hofstra posted a 9-2 regular season record, was ranked 14th in the country, received its second I-AA playoff bid, and ranked second in passing offense, eighth in total offense and ninth in scoring offense. Individually, five Flying Dutchmen placed in the top 10 of four categories. In 1998 the Flying Dutchmen posted an 8-3 record, attained their then highest-ever I-AA ranking at fifth in the nation, and were ranked fifth in scoring offense, 10th in turnover margin, 11th in total offense and 12th in kickoff return average in I-AA.

Hofstra equaled its best I-AA regular season record with a 10-1 mark in 1999 and was ranked as high as fourth in the country. The Pride received their third NCAA I-AA Championship bid, advanced to the quarterfinals, finished the year with an 11-2 overall record and captured the Lambert Cup as the top I-AA program in the East. Hofstra was ranked seventh in scoring defense, 10th in turnover margin, 14th in pass efficiency defense, 24th in scoring offense and 31st in total offense. Gardi was also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award as I-AA Coach of the Year.

In 2000 Hofstra recorded an 8-3 regular season record and was ranked as high as fourth in the country in I-AA. The Pride received their fourth I-AA Playoff bid and defeated Furman on the road in the opening round before losing to eventual national champions Georgia Southern in the quarterfinals. Hofstra finished the year 9-4 and was ranked seventh in the final I-AA poll by The Sports Network. The Pride ranked 11th in scoring offense, 17th in passing offense, 18th in total offense and 21st in turnover margin in I-AA.

In 2001 Hofstra ended its I-AA independent status by joining the Atlantic 10 Football Conference. Gardi directed the Pride to a 9-2 regular season record including a 7-2 conference mark, the League's co-championship, the A-10's automatic bid to the NCAA I-AA Playoffs and a Top 10 final national ranking. As a team, Hofstra ranked in the top 10 in I-AA in total offense (2), punt returns (3), passing offense (4), scoring offense (5) and turnover margin (10). Possessing a desire to spend more time with his family, he retired following the Pride's 7-4 2005 season.

A number of Gardi's former players at Hofstra have gone on to play in the National Football League, Arena Football League and Canadian Football League including current NFL players Marques Colston with the New Orleans Saints, Willie Colon with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Stephen Bowen with the Dallas Cowboys. In addition, several of Gardi's former assistant coaches are currently coaching in the NFL or CFL including: Raheem Morris, Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Dan Quinn, Defensive Line Coach for the Seattle Seahawks; Joe Woods, Defensive Backs Coach for the Minnesota Vikings; Chip Garber, Defensive Coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts; Jaime Elizondo, Offensive Coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts; and many others in college football.

Gardi, who worked as an official's observer following his retirement from Hofstra, served as a board member for the Vince Lombardi Memorial Golf Tournament for Cancer Research and was a member of The Dante Foundation, which provides critical support for Long Island students. Gardi served on the committee for the Christa House charity dinner to benefit a hospice for HIV patients and was a sponsor and supporter for St. Mary's Hospital for Children, Good Samaritan Hospital, Long Island Jewish Hospital, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the New York State Special Olympics.

Gardi is survived by his wife, Audrey, two grown children Joanne and David, daughter-in-law Michele, and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.

================================

Love signed with the Roughriders

Southfield's own heading to Canadian Football League

Christian Davis
C & G News
3 June 2010


Just a day before he was set to leave for Saskatchewan, Canada, Aaron Love
still felt surreal. 



"All of this is kind of a dream for me, because I haven't touched Canadian
soil yet as far as my football career goes," he said May 24.




When the 2004 Southfield High graduate touched down the following day, he
did so as the new wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the
Canadian Football League.



Love signed with the Roughriders in the late summer of 2009 and begins his
career June 2 with the opening practice.



"It was awesome, and I can't even say I wasn't satisfied with (signing with)
the CFL. It's still pro football, and where I'm going to be at in Canada,
it's a big deal," he said. "I'm really excited about playing and thank God
for another opportunity to put cleats on."



The last time Love suited up, it was for the University of Delaware, where
in four years he finished with the school's most receptions in a career -
186 - for 2,376 yards and 11 touchadowns.



When Love signed with the Roughriders last summer, the season was in
progress, so he lived in Arizona and kept in shape by working out with
former teammates that now play for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL.



"I'm a firm believer in the Lord, and I think God gave me a year off to
rest because I went through a lot in college," the 5-foot-8, 165-pounder
said. "Nothing major, but I was kind of beat up my last season at Delaware."



Love now starts his professional career completely healthy, which he said
hasn't happened since he was 7.



The receiver has always utilized his athleticism and catching ability, and
the CFL rules complement that combination.



In the CFL, there are only three downs to make a first instead of four,
which puts more of a priority on passing. As for the field, in the CFL it's
wider and longer, and the receivers are allowed to have a running start at
the snap of the ball.



Love believes the new rules can only help his game, but he's going to depend
on his work ethic to again find success on the field.



"I just want to go there and just let them know they can depend on me, and
that I'm a good athlete," he said. "Make a name for myself in the Canadian
League so I can set up other opportunities for myself athletically."

=========================

University of Delaware Football Team to Appear on Television Four Times
During 2010 Season

DATE: May 28, 2010 - UD Sports Info

● 2010 Delaware Football Schedule

RICHMOND, Va. -- The University of Delaware football squad will appear
on television four times this fall as part of the Colonial Athletic
Association’s Comcast Network package for the 2010 season, the CAA
announced.

The Blue Hens, who are expected to be one of the top teams in the CAA
this season with a potential pre-season Top 25 ranking, will make four
live television appearances this fall beginning with a Sept. 25 meeting
at 2008 national champion Richmond at 3:30 p.m., Oct. 2 at James Madison
at 12 noon, Oct. 23 at 2009 national semifinalist William & Mary at 12
noon, and Nov. 20 at home vs. defending national champion Villanova at
12 noon.

All four games will be televised live on both The Comcast Network and
Comcast SportsNet New England. Any additional Delaware television
appearances on other networks will be announced at a later date.

The CAA’s television package with The Comcast Network this fall
includes 19 games with all 10 teams represented. Villanova will appear
on television a league-high six times, William & Mary, New Hampshire,
and Richmond will make five appearances each, and Delaware, James
Madison, and Massachusetts will appear four times apiece.

Delaware has made 49 television appearances in eight seasons under head
coach K.C. Keeler, including 16 national broadcasts.

Delaware returns 13 starters from a squad that went 6-6 a year ago
under Keeler, including All-CAA linebacker/defensive end Matt
Marcorelle, All-CAA defensive backs Anthony Walters and Anthony Bratton,
and Walter Payton National Offensive Player of the Year candidate Pat
Devlin at quarterback.

Below is the 2010 television schedule as of May 10:

Sept. 4 - William & Mary at Massachusetts, 3:30 p.m. (TCN/CSN-NE)

Sept. 18 - New Hampshire at Rhode Island, 12 noon (CSN-NE); Towson at
Villanova, 3:30 p.m. (TCN/CSN-NE); William & Mary at Old Dominion, 7
p.m. (CSN-Mid Atlantic)

Sept. 25 - Delaware at Richmond, 3:30 p.m. (TCN/CSN-NE)

Oct. 2 - Delaware at James Madison, 12 noon (TCN/CSN-NE); Villanova at
William & Mary, 3:30 p.m. (CSN-MA)

Oct. 9 - Richmond at New Hampshire, 12 noon (TCN/CSN-NE)

Oct. 16 - Villanova at Maine, 12 noon (CSN-NE); New Hampshire at James
Madison, 3:30 p.m. (TCN/CSN-NE)

Oct. 23 - Delaware at William & Mary, 12 noon (TCN/CSN-NE);
Massachusetts at New Hampshire, 3:30 p.m. (CSN-NE)

Oct. 30 - Richmond at Villanova, 12 noon (TCN/CSN-NE); Massachusetts at
James Madison, 3:30 p.m. (CSN-MA/CSN-NE)

Nov. 6 - Maine at Massachusetts, 3:30 p.m. (CSN-NE); James Madison at
Richmond, 3:30 p.m. (CSN-MA)

Nov. 13 - New Hampshire at Villanova, 12 noon (TCN-CSN-NE)

Nov. 20 - Villanova at Delaware, 12 noon (TCN/CSN-NE); Richmond at
William & Mary, 3:30 p.m. (TCN-CSN-NE) 

==============================

Former University of Delaware Quarterback, Offensive Coordinator Ted
Kempski Inducted into State Athletics Hall of Fame

DATE: May 22, 2010 - UD Sports Info

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Ted Kempski, whose has been synonymous with winning
football for the University of Delaware as a player and coach for nearly
50 years, was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame
Wednesday night in a ceremony at the Chase Center on the Wilmington
Riverfront.

Kempski, a native of Wilmington who was a standout player at Salesianum
School before heading to the University of Delaware as a player and
later as one of the nation’s most successful offensive coaches, was
among 11 former athletes and coaches recognized for their contributions
to sports throughout the state.

“Without a doubt, this is the greatest honor I have ever received and
I accept with all the humility I could possess,” said Kempski, who
still serves in the UD athletics department as assistant to the director
of athletics. “I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by other
Hall of Famers throughout my life and I’ve always looked up to them.
I’m proud to be part of the University of Delaware and certainly one
of the greatest football traditions in the country. I think what we have
done here has made all the people in the state proud of Delaware.”

Kempski, who helped bring the Delaware football team to national
prominence in 34 seasons as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator
under the legendary Tubby Raymond, who attended Wednesday’s ceremony,
was selected as the recipient of the American Football Coaches
Association's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2008.

After an All-State career at Salesianum School and one season at the
University of Virginia, Kempski made an impact at Delaware as the
starting quarterback for the Blue Hens in 1961 and 1962, helping lead UD
to the Middle Atlantic Championship in 1962. He went on to earn his
master's degree from Delaware in 1965 while serving as a graduate
assistant for the football team under head coach David Nelson.

Kempski worked as an assistant coach at George Washington and Marshall
before returning to his alma mater as the offensive coordinator in 1968.
After 34 seasons on the Blue Hens' coaching staff, he retired as
associate head coach after the 2001 campaign. During his time on the
sidelines, Delaware won three national titles, made 16 NCAA tournament
appearances, won 14 Lambert Cup trophies, earned nine ECAC Team of the
Year awards, and captured eight conference titles. The Hens compiled a
record of 292-109-3 in Kempski's time in Newark.

From 1968 to 1973, Kempski's backfields led the College Division in
either rushing or total offense per game, and his 1979 backfield led the
nation in scoring and total offense. His offenses were consistently
ranked among the nation's best. He wrote five books on the Wing-T and
became one of the nation’s leading football clinic speakers.

Raymond lauded Kempski for his immeasurable contributions to the
program.

"(During Kempski's time at Delaware), we were eminently successful and
on the cutting edge of offensive football," Raymond said. "Much of our
success was a result of Ted's imagination and teaching ability as we
adjusted to defensive trends and the increasing ability of our players.
It is my opinion that Ted Kempski was the quintessential assistant
football coach, having helped Delaware achieve national recognition in
addition to his special contribution of helping other coaches throughout
the country."

Kempski now resides in Elkton, MD, with his wife, Cathy.

Also inducted during the ceremony were Steve Bastianelli (wrestling),
Frank Cephous (football), Bob DeGroat (coaching), Helen Doherty
(all-around), Laura Knorr Moliken (field hockey), Jamie Natalie
(gymnastics), Jim “Tuffy” Pabst (all-around), Terence Stansbury
(basketball), Chester V. “Bud” Townsend (officiating), and Mary Jane
Weldin (all-around). 

===================================

UD's Aaron Love signs with CFL Roughriders

Vancouver Sun

22 May 2010

REGINA - The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed a trio of import receivers
Friday, adding Dwayne Eley, Aaron Love and Aaron Waldie to their roster.

Financial details of the contracts were not released.

Eley, 22, played four seasons at Stony Brook, where he finished his college
career as the team's top receiver. Love, 23, finished his college career as
Delaware's top receiver in career receptions (186). Waldie, 23, played at
Hillsdale College in Michigan, finishing as the school's leader in career
touchdowns (25).

===============================

From gridiron to griddle

Andy Wilcox

Napa Valley Register 

Friday, May 21, 2010 

When former NFL lineman Kwame Harris and his two similarly gigantic brothers
sat down to Sunday dinners with their parents as kids, they weren't just for
family bonding.



They were exquisite feasts that would inspire him years later.



"Attention to detail was paid to our Sunday dinners," said Harris, now a
student at the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone, in St. Helena. "I
think that planted the seeds to my culinary interests."



Being a three-time All-State offensive lineman in Delaware with a high
metabolism, Harris had to sample a lot of foods to beef up his 6-foot-7
frame to 322 pounds. He played for Stanford University from 2000 to 2002,
earning All-American honors. After his junior year, he signed with the San
Francisco 49ers as a first-round draft pick. His younger brother, Orien,
plays defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals.



"My dad owned a restaurant. To feed three boys, all 290 pounds-plus, I guess
you have to," Harris laughed. "We're originally from middle Jamaica. We grew
up eating things like oxtail stew and jerk chicken."



Harris played for the 49ers from 2003 to 2007, then joined the Oakland
Raiders in 2008 as a free agent. The Raiders released him in February 2009,
reportedly for his struggles with pass-blocking and false-start penalties,
though he was praised as a run-blocker throughout his NFL career.



An accomplished pianist who majored in music at Stanford, he sometimes plays
a piano at the CIA. While enrolled in the school's 21-month Associate in
Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts program, he enjoys the parallels
between football and the restaurant business.



"I worked at two restaurants and was on my feet for 14, 15 hours a day with
a 20- or 30-minute lunch break," he said. "One thing about working at a
restaurant that excites me is you get there in the morning and you spend
your morning prepping. You're cutting up food, organizing your dishes and
getting your ducks in a row. It's like the week of football practices
leading up to the game, where you run plays, get your game plan down, have
meetings, and watch film to break down the other team.



"Then there's the buildup. You get those butterflies, like you get when
you're going on the field on Sunday. The stadium is rocking, the music is
going, and it smells like fried food and beer everywhere. It's like right
before service (at a restaurant), the quiet before the storm. When service
hits, it's like running the first plays. You're adjusting to the defense as
you go to the line. In the same way, you're plating dishes and adjusting to
food allergies and dietary restrictions as you go along. When the night's
over, there's a huge exhale, just like after a football game. Instead of
being dog-tired, you're euphoric for some strange reason."



Two of Harris' instructors at the CIA, Chef Scott Samuel and Chef Tom Wong,
said they were not aware of his NFL career until colleagues told them.



"Some people might think NFL players are egotistical, but Kwame is just the
opposite," Samuel said of Harris, whose first name rhymes with tame. "He's
very humble and kind and respectful of all around him," Samuel said. "He is
willing to learn and has a kid's sense of wonder. He works well with others
and takes the suggestions of other students respectfully.



"Overall, Kwame is a great student with a sense of pride and commitment to
learning. He has a keen sense of wanting to know how and why. He asks some
tough questions. He seems to be very calm and comfortable in the kitchen and
really cares about the food he is cooking. He wants to know from me how
things should taste, how to make it better, and what can be done differently
in the future."



Wong said Harris is a natural in the kitchen.



"He continues to improve not only his precision knife cuts, but also his
dexterity with his knives, cutting some of the classical cuts that many
current culinary professionals are not able to do," the chef said. "He has
good flow and understands people's body language and is able to move in a
high traffic area with ease. That is saying a lot for someone who is 6-7."



Harris is lucky he's not limping around the kitchen.



"Football is incredibly hard on your body," he said. "It's not natural for
300-pound men to run full-speed into one another and do it 70, 80 times a
game, and that's just on Sundays. You're doing that during practices, also.
I've had shoulder surgery, my left ring finger won't straighten out, I have
pain in my right hand sometimes, and I can't even tell you how my lower back
feels some mornings. I turned 28 in March, and I probably have the body of a
50-year-old.



"People often say 'Well, you make so much money. Why are you complaining?'
If I had to put a dollar amount on my shoulder or lower back, I think
everybody would understand."



Also priceless, though, was when he scored a 49ers touchdown at Arizona in
2003 by recovering a fumble near the goal line by then-quarterback Jeff
Garcia.



"It was literally like an angel came down and put the ball right in my
hands," he recalled. "There was no athletic prowess involved. I just kinda
rumbled forward and fell into the end zone. I got a little shout-out on
(ESPN's) SportsCenter and Stuart Scott was making fun of my celebration. I
was so ecstatic, just jumping up and down and going 'Yeah, yeah, yeah!' I
hadn't planned my end zone dance. (Orien) still gives me grief for it. He
may have scored one in high school or college, but I saved mine for the
pros!"



Harris also has many fond off-field memories from his football career - from
eating unforgettable cornbread pudding made by Eric Heitmann's wife while
being hosted by the then-senior and future 49ers teammate during a Stanford
recruiting trip, to bonding with fellow 49ers linemen on a salmon-fishing
trip.



"I wish I was a better player and our record was a little bit better, but
even the Raiders were probably doing more work than the New England Patriots
because there was incentive to find out what was wrong," he said. "Chemistry
is a lot of it, and that's not unique to football. I'm starting to find out
that that's really important in the kitchen as well."

==================================

Charles Graves Named Football MVP at UD Men's and Women's
Intercollegiate Awards Picnic
 
DATE: May 19, 2010 - UD Sports Info

NEWARK, Del. - High-scoring standouts Casey Howard and Curtis Dickson,
who led their respective teams to Colonial Athletic Association
championships and NCAA Tournaments berth this past season, were honored
as the University of Delaware Alumni Association Outstanding Senior
Female and Male Athletes of the Year at the annual UD Athletics Awards
Luncheon Wednesday afternoon at the Bob Carpenter Center.

Howard, who led the Blue Hen field hockey team, and Dickson, who paced
the UD men’s lacrosse squad, were among several Delaware
student-athletes honored at the annual end of the year ceremony. For the
first time in several years both men’s and women’s student-athletes
were honored at one banquet after each having their separate ceremonies
in the past. Nearly 600 student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and
support staff attended the event.  Selections were made from a vote of
the Blue Hen head coaches.

In addition to the awards, Delaware sophomore football linebacker
Andrew Harrison (Highland Spring HS/Richmond, Va.) offered the
invocation and former Blue Hen volleyball standout and 2008 UD
Outstanding Senior Female Athlete of the Year Colleen Walsh served as
the guest speaker.

Howard, an elementary education major from Camden, Del. (Caesar Rodney
High School), became the first UD field hockey player to earn the award
since Jodi Byrd was recognized in 1999. A four-year starter, Howard led
one of the nation’s biggest turnarounds in 2009 as Delaware improved
from 3-15 in 2008 to a 14-6 mark this past fall when the team captured
the CAA title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for head coach Carol
Miller.

Howard, who recorded a huge comeback after missing the entire 2008
season with an injury, spearheaded the Blue Hen turnaround as she earned
second team All-American honors by womensfieldhockey.com and was also
named second team All-East, first team National Field Hockey Coaches
Association All-Mid-Atlantic Region, and first team All-CAA. She also
was named the Most Valuable Player of the CAA Tournament.  

She set school records for goals in a game (5 vs. Brown), goals in a
season (22), and points in a season (51) and finished her career as one
of Delaware’s all-time leading goal-scorers with 51, including six
game-winners. She scored two or more goals in a game five times as a
senior. In addition, she earned the John J. Brady Award as the Delaware
Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association (DSBA) 2009 Delaware Athlete
of the Year in March.

Dickson, a criminal justice major from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
(Riverside High School), put in one of the finest seasons in Delaware
men’s lacrosse history in 2010 when he led the Hens to a big
turnaround. After the squad went just 5-10 a year ago, this year’s
squad posted a 10-7 record, a No. 12 national ranking, the CAA
Tournament title, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament where the Hens lost
a 14-13 heartbreaker to No. 4 North Carolina in the opening round this
past Sunday.

A four-year starter on attack, Dickson was a three-time first team
All-CAA selection and was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player
of the Year this spring. Already named to the LaxPower.com All-American
team this spring, he is a strong candidate for U.S. Intercollegiate
Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-American honors later this month and is
one of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Award presented to the National
Player of the Year in early June. He is the first UD lacrosse player to
earn the UD Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award since Alex
Smith in 2007.

Dickson scored at a prolific pace in 2010 and currently leads all NCAA
Division I players with 62 goals, 77 points, and 12 hat tricks this
season. He ended his career having scored at least one point in 57
straight games and his 162 career goals broke the UD record of 161 set
by Randy Powers in 1983-86. His 212 career points ranks No. 4 all-time
at Delaware and his 62 goals in 2010 fell just three shy of the UD
standard of 65 set by Don Swan back in 1951.

Honored as UD Alumni Association Most Valuable Players for their
specific sports were the following:

BASEBALL:  Senior third baseman Carlos Alonso (Los Gatos HS/Los Gatos,
Calif.) earned the Pape Lukk Alumni Association Most Valuable Player
Award for the second straight year. A two-year member of the squad,
Alonso leads the team in batting for the second straight year with a
.392 average and also leads the team with 20 doubles, 12 stolen bases,
and a .480 on-base percentage this spring. Earlier this year he extended
his school record hitting streak to 32 games and his mark of 67 straight
games reaching base safely is a new Delaware record. He earned second
team All-CAA honors in 2009 when he batted .380  and helped the Blue Hen
earn a spot in the CAA Tournament. A business major, he is a strong
candidate for All-CAA and All-Region honors this spring. The Blue Hens
(24-24) will close out the 2010 season this weekend at home vs.
Northeastern.

MEN'S BASKETBALL:   Junior guard Jawan Carter (Tatnall School/Chester,
Pa.) earned the Colonel C.B. Shaffer Alumni Association MVP Award
following a stellar junior season in which he earned second team All-CAA
accolades. Carter, a business marketing major, led the Blue Hens and
ranked third in the league with 18.2 points per game, and he was the
nation’s leader in minutes played. Carter, who was second in the
conference in assists per game, reached double figures in all but two
games on the year. His 23 double-figure scoring streak ranks fifth
all-time at Delaware while he reached the 20-point mark 12 times,
including a pair of 30-point games.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Freshman guard Elena Delle Donne (Ursuline
Academy/Wilmington, Del.), who despite playing her first season of
college basketball made a name for herself nationwide as one of the
NCAA’s top freshmen, led the Blue Hens to a 21-12 record and a berth
in the Women’s NIT Tournament. She was named the CAA Player and Rookie
of the Year and became the first player in school history to earn
All-American honors when she garnered Associated Press and Women’s
Basketball Coaches Association honors. She also was a finalist for the
Wooden and Naismith national player of the year awards.  Delle Donne set
18 school records and ranked third in the nation in scoring at 26.7
points per game. She netted a school record 54 points - the most by a
Division I women’s  player all season - against James Madison and
finished the year shooting 41.3 percent from the three-point line and
89.8 percent from the foul line. She is an early childhood education
major at Delaware.

FIELD HOCKEY:  Senior forward Casey Howard (Caesar Rodney/Camden,
Del.).

FOOTBALL:  Senior safety Charles Graves (Southeast Raleigh HS/Raleigh,
N.C.), a three-year starter, capped an outstanding career by earning
All-American honors for the second straight year this fall as Delaware
went 6-6. He earned consensus All-American honors - earning first team
honors by the American Football Coaches Association and the Walter Camp
Foundation and second team laurels by the Associated Press and The
Sports Network. He led the team with 69 tackles, including a team-best
47 solo stops, and four interceptions this fall while also breaking up
three passes and recording a sack and fumble recovery. He was a two-time
All-CAA selection and finished his career with 232 tackles and nine
interceptions. He is a hotel, restaurant, and institutional management
major at Delaware.

GOLF: Junior Justin Martinson (Kennett HS/Avondale, Pa.) earned the
John J. DeLuca and Scotty Duncan Alumni Association MVP Award for the
second straight season. An international relations major, Martinson was
named the CAA Player of the Year after winning the conference tournament
by four strokes, and earned medalist honors in three other tournaments
on the year. He became the first UD player to win a conference title
since 1989. He set the UD two-round record by carding a 67-66-133 at the
Rehoboth Beach Spring Invitational, while his current 72.73 average
round would be a UD single season mark. Martinson will become the 10th
Blue Hen to participate in the NCAA Regionals this weekend when he
competes in the Georgia Tech Regional.

MEN’S LACROSSE: Senior attackman Curtis Dickson (Riverside HS/Port
Coquitlam, British Columbia) earned team MVP honors for the third
straight year.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE:  Junior defender Jen Bradway (Mainland Regional
HS/Linwood, N.J.), a second-year starter, was one of only two players to
start all 16 games this spring and anchored the Blue Hen defensive unit
that allowed 10 goals or less in a game four times.  She ranked second
on the team with 24 groundballs and 12 caused turnovers and also
collected seven draw controls on the season for head coach Kim
Ciarrocca. She is an elementary education major at Delaware.

WOMENS’ ROWING: Senior Regine Adrien (Kellenberg Memorial HS/Merrick,
N.Y) closed out an outstanding career at Delaware this spring as she
earned All-CAA honors - becoming the first women’s rower in UD history
to earn that accolade. A four-year letterwinner and two-time All-Region
selection, she anchored the Delaware Varsity Eights crew that placed
fifth at the CAA championships and eighth at the Dad Vail Regatta this
spring. An international relations major, Adrien earned four letters for
the Blue Hens.

MEN’S SOCCER: Senior midfielder Darren Christie (Baring HS/Swaziland)
earned the team Most Valuable Player Award for the third straight year.
He scored a team-high nine goals this season and had four game-winners.
He earned All-CAA honors for the second straight year this fall while
also earning second team All-East  and third team NSCA All-South
Atlantic Region honors. He also earned a tryout with D.C. United of the
Major League Soccer league. A sociology major at Delaware, he finished
his career with 13 goals.

WOMEN'S SOCCER: Junior defender Morgan Warrington (St. Thomas More
HS/Magnolia, Del.), in just her first year at Delaware after a transfer
from UMBC, anchored a Blue Hen defense that led the CAA in defense,
allowing less than a goal per game at 0.66 and recording nine shutouts
on the season. She earned third team All-CAA honors after starting all
17 games and dished out assists in a tie vs. Northeastern and in an
upset win over William & Mary. She is a human services major at
Delaware.

SOFTBALL: Sophomore pitcher Amanda Stacevicz (Mt. St. Dominic
Academy/Cedar Grove, N.J.) earned Team MVP honors for softball after
leading the Blue Hens to a 20-31-1 mark this season. A second team
All-CAA selection, Stacevicz paced UD in the circle with 11 wins and a
3.20 earned run average, while her six shutouts are tied for sixth most
in a UD single season. Stacevicz, a history major, also had a productive
year at the plate, ranking third on the team with a .273 batting average
and tied for third with 38 hits. Stacevicz, who fired shutouts against
CAA foes UNC Wilmington and Towson, was also fourth on the squad with 18
runs scored and fifth with 14 RBI.

MEN'S SWIMMING: Senior Hans Gillan (North Broward Prep/Boca Raton,
Fla.) was the recipient of the UD Alumni Association Jack & Hugh
Dougherty MVP Award for the second consecutive season. He guided
Delaware to a 12-3 record and a third place finish at the CAA
Championships when he led the team with four conference titles,
including individual victories in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke
as well as titles in the 200 medley relay (CAA record time of 1:28.88)
and the 400 freestyle relay. Overall, he accumulated 57 points during
the meet, which marked the second most by any swimmer at the
competition. For his efforts, he was named an Honorable Mention
Mid-Major All-American by CollegeSwimming.com. During his tenure at
Delaware, he set program records in the 100 freestyle (44.25), 100
butterfly (47.35), and 100 backstroke (48.56). He is a business major at
Delaware.

WOMEN'S SWIMMING: Junior Donna Healy (Archbishop Spalding HS/Crofton,
Md.) led the Blue Hens to a 10-5 record and a seventh place showing at
the Colonial Athletic Association Championships. During the title meet,
she teamed up to help the 200 freestyle relay team break the program
record and place fourth in the event with a time of 1:34.10. During the
year, she also posted the team’s fastest time in the 100- and
200-freestyle events, while earning the CAA Swimmer of the Week award on
Nov. 17 after winning three events in a tri-meet against LaSalle and
Rider. She is a biology major at Delaware.

MEN'S TENNIS: Senior Austin Longacre (Avon Grove HS/Landenberg, Pa.)
earned the Alexander J. Taylor Alumni Association MVP Award for the
third straight season. Longacre, a finance major, capped a
record-setting career on the courts as he earned first team All-Colonial
Athletic Association honors in doubles and second team All-CAA laurels
in singles play. He posted a singles record of 18-8 this past season and
ended his career with a school record 108 singles victories. He won 20
or more singles matches in a season twice during his career and earned a
total of five All-CAA honors for both singles and doubles during his
tenure.

WOMEN'S TENNIS: Junior Megan Doran (Holy Spirit HS/Brigantine, N.J.)
enjoyed a standout season in both singles and doubles play as a
second-year transfer from Connecticut.  She recorded a singles record of
22-10 playing mostly at the No. 1 position and earned second team
All-Colonial Athletic Association honors. In doubles she posted a
combined record of 27-5 to set a UD single season record for doubles
wins in a season. In just two seasons, she already ranks among
Delaware’s all-time leaders with a single mark of 42-16 and a
combined doubles slate of 52-7. She is an honor student as an exercise
science major with a strength and conditioning minor at Delaware.

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY: Senior Chris Bourke (Strath-Haven HS/Media, Pa.)
was named the MVP for the second straight year. An honor student as an
exercise science major with a minor in biology and chemistry, he served
as a team co-captain and earned first team All-Colonial Athletic
Association (fifth place), All-Mid-Atlantic (16th place), and All-East
(19th place) honors in cross country in 2009 and led the team in five of
the six races this fall. Among his other top performances in 2009 were
winning the UD Invitational and placing ninth at the UD Blue & Gold
Invitational. He finished his career with 15 top 20 finishes.

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY: Senior Julia Somers (Haverford HS/Haverford,
Pa.) was a two-year captain and earned team MVP honors for the third
time in her career. She led the team in six of seven events this fall
and placed 15th at the Colonial Athletic Association championships. An
honor student as a mathematical education major with a minor in
philosophy at Delaware, Somers led the team 15 times during her career
and had three top 15 finishes at the CAA meet. This past fall, she also
finished first at the UD Invitational, sixth at the UD Blue & Gold
Invitational, and 20th at the season-opening James Madison University
Invitational.

WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD: Senior Cristine Marquez (Old Bridge./Old
Bridge, N.J.) capped a record-setting career at Delaware this season for
both the indoor and outdoor teams. She set school indoor records in the
400 meters and 800 meter relay and qualified for the ECAC Easterns in
three events. She earned All-East honors in the 200 meters, 400 meters,
and 1,600 meter relay and was an NCAA provisional qualifier in the 400
meters. She also enjoyed an outstanding outdoor season, earning All-East
honors in three events (400 meters, 4 x 100m Relay, 4 x 400m Relay) and
qualifying for the NCAA East Regionals later this month in the 400
meters.  An elementary education and English literature major at
Delaware, she also served as a co-captain for both teams.

MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD:  Senior Chase Renoll  (Spring Grove/York,
Pa.) captured his second career Colonial Athletic Association individual
title this spring when he won the discus at the CAA meet in April while
also placing second in the shot put. He moved on to place 12th in the
discus as the IC4A Eastern meet while also qualifying in the shot put.
For the season, he won six meet titles in the weight throwing events -
capturing the shot put and discus events at the Delaware Open I,
Delaware Open II, and Towson Invitational.  An officer for the UD
Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), he is a history major who also
served as co-captain during the 2010 season.

WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD: Freshman sprinter Vicky Caruso (Walkill
Valley HS/Stockholm, N.J.) enjoyed a standout rookie season for the Blue
Hens this season for both the indoor and outdoor squads. This spring as
she set school records in the 200 meters and three relay events and
established three school freshman records. She placed second at the CAA
Championships in three events, earned All-East honors in three events
(200m, 4 x 100m Relay, 4 x 400m Relay) and has qualified for the NCAA
East Regionals in the 200 meters later this month. During the indoor
season she set school records in the 55m, 200m, 300m, and 4 x 200m
events, earned All-East honors in the 4 x 400m relay, 400m, and 200m,
and won 10 meet titles.

VOLLEYBALL: Senior libero Stephanie Barry (Wilson HS/Long Beach,
Calif.) was named the Most Valuable Player of the volleyball team for
the second straight season. During her final campaign, she led the Blue
Hens to a 21-8 record and a share of the CAA regular season title. A
three-time first-team All-CAA selection and the first two-time
All-American in conference history, she led UD with 580 digs and ranked
second with 33 aces as a senior. A key member of Delaware’s
back-to-back CAA championship teams in 2007 and 2008, she wrapped up her
time in Newark with the program and conference record for career digs
with 2,401.  She also broke the school mark for consecutive sets played
after appearing in 488 straight, which ranks as the third-longest streak
in NCAA history. An honor student as a business major, she was named the
CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year for volleyball and earned a spot on the
ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA District 2 All-Academic team.

In addition to the team Most Valuable Players and the Outstanding
Senior Athlete Award winners, also recognized were senior volleyball
player Michelle LaLonde (Wooster HS/Wooster, Ohio) with the Mary Ann
Hitchens Award and senior men’s soccer defender Kyle Davis (St.
Mark’s HS/Hockessin, Del.) with the Edgar N. Johnson Award.

The Hitchens Award is named in honor of Delaware’s former field
hockey and basketball coach and long-time senior associate director of
athletics who retired in 2006 and is presented to a UD senior female who
exemplifies the characteristics of hard work, dedication, fairness, and
striving for excellence that were the hallmarks of Hitchens’ career.
Hitchens was on hand to present the award.

LaLonde, an honor student as a biology major, was a four-year
letterwinner and two-year captain for the volleyball team. A perennial
member of the CAA Academic Honor Roll, a 2009 CoSIDA District 2
All-Academic selection, and constant staple in community service
projects, she ranks sixth in Delaware history with a career .294 hitting
percentage. A guiding force behind the Blue Hens’ back-to-back
conference championship teams in 2007 and 2008, she also finished her
career ranked fifth all-time at Delaware with a career 0.87
blocks-per-set average.

The Johnson Award, which was presented for the first time this year, is
named in honor of the long-time Blue Hen director of athletics who
retired last summer after serving in that post for 25 years. The award
is presented to a UD senior male who exemplifies the characteristics of
hard work, dedication, fairness, and striving for excellence.

Davis earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors in 2009 and was a
three-time Academic All-District pick during his career. A biochemistry
major with a minor in German, the Hockessin, Del. native started all 19
games in 2009 and helped the team to its highest win total since 2001.
He was named the winner of the team’s UD Sportsmanship Award in 2008,
earned the ECAC Medal of Merit Award, and was involved in numerous team
community services projects.

==================================================