ROWAN SELECTED AS PRESEASON FOOTBALL FAVORITE IN LEAGUE COACHES POLL

PITMAN--After posting a 7-2 NJAC record en route to a third place league finish and an 8-2 overall mark in 2008, Rowan University has been selected as the 2009 preseason football favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Profs will be seeking their 16th conference title since 1972. 

 

Rowan was selected to finish first on 5-of-the-10 ballots cast by the league head coaches. Under the direction of eighth-year head coach Jay Accorsi, the Profs have posted an overall record of 59-20 while capturing conference crowns in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Rowan returns a league-high 11 all-conference players from its 2008 squad including senior offensive lineman Ken Siano, senior linebacker Andrew Yezzi, senior quarterback Frank Wilczynski, senior offensive lineman Josh Weiss, senior defensive end Kyle Kane, senior linebacker Kevin Taylor, senior safety Mike Barone, senior safety/punt returner Steve Wall, senior offensive lineman Tommy Menendez, junior defensive end Matt Hoffman, and sophomore kicker Mark Getsinger. 

 

SUNY Cortland, which captured its first outright NJAC championship in 2008 before advancing to the third round of the NCAA National Championship Tournament, was selected to place second and received four first place votes. In 2008, the Red Dragons posted an 11-2 overall record and became the first NJAC team to ever garner nine league victories in a single season en route to being awarded the Lambert Trophy as the best Division III program in the East. Under the leadership of 2008 NJAC Coach of the Year Dan MacNeill, the Red Dragons have posted an overall record of 80-46 during his 12-year tenure. Cortland returns a trio of all-conference performers from its 2008 NJAC championship squad including senior punter Kyle Peterson, senior defensive lineman Bryan Wiley, and junior defensive back Joe Lopez.

 

Montclair State University, which finished as the 2008 NJAC runner-up with a 7-2 conference record while earning an appearance in the ECAC South Central Bowl, was selected to place third and received one first place vote. The Red Hawks have accumulated an overall record of 181-85-2 under the direction of 27th-year head coach Rick Giancola, including a record of 8-3 in 2008. MSU returns seven all-league performers from its 2008 squad including senior running back Jeff Bliss, junior defensive back Mario McLean, senior defensive lineman Chris Merkle, senior punter Troy Cyburt, senior kick returner Marco Capozzolli, sophomore punt returner Byron Lewin, and senior offensive lineman Joe Gelpi.


The coaches’ dark horse selection, Kean University was selected to place fourth. Led by fourth-year head coach Dan Garrett, the Cougars have posted a 19-13 overall record. Kean recorded a 6-3 mark in league play and a 7-4 overall record in 2008, including an appearance in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl. The Cougars return seven all-conference players from their 2008 squad including the reigning NJAC Offensive Player of the Year and the 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year in senior running back Jared Chunn and sophomore quarterback Thomas D’Ambrisi respectively. In addition, Kean returns all-league performers in senior defensive tackle Darryl Jackson, junior defensive back Chris Lauda, senior tight end Alex Cade, junior linebacker Victor D’Arrigo, and sophomore defensive back Jamahl Williams.

 

The College at Brockport, which posted a 6-3 league record in its first season of NJAC play en route to a 7-4 overall mark and a victory in the ECAC Northwest Bowl, was selected to place fifth. Under the direction of 14th-year head coach Rocco Salomone, the Golden Eagles have recorded an overall mark of 88-55-1. Brockport returns a trio of all-conference performers from its 2008 squad including senior wide receiver Felipe Diaz, senior offensive lineman Bobby Bradtke, and senior linebacker Cevon Carver. 

 

The College of New Jersey, which captured a share of the NJAC crown in 2007, was selected to place sixth. Led by 33rd-year head coach Eric Hamilton, the Lions have accumulated an overall mark of 192-124-6 during his tenure. TCNJ returns a trio of all-league performers from a 2008 squad which finished 4-6 overall and 4-5 in the NJAC including senior wide receiver Cameron Richardson, senior defensive back Ryan Flannery, and senior punter Marc Zucconi.

 

William Paterson University, which posted a 4-6 overall record under first-year head coach Jerry Flora in 2008, was selected to place seventh. The Pioneers, who produced a 3-6 mark in league play during Flora’s rookie season, return seven all-conference players including the 2008 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year in defensive back Doug Dudek. In addition, WPU returns all-league performers in senor wide receiver Joel Rivera, junior defensive lineman Dyon Moore, senior linebacker Jared Burke, junior defensive back Leer Biddle, senior fullback Derrik Rideg, and senior offensive lineman Saul Garcia.

 

Western Connecticut State University, under the guidance of eighth-year head coach John Burrell, was selected to place eighth. Under Burrell, the Colonials have notched a 35-35 overall record, including a mark of 2-8 in 2008.

 

Buffalo State College, which posted a 1-9 overall record in 2008, was selected to place ninth. The 2009 season will mark the return of Jerry Boyes to the head coaching position for the Bengals. In 15 seasons during his previous tenure, Boyes accumulated an overall record of 89-62. Buffalo State returns one all-league performer from its 2008 squad in senior center Jacob Button.


Morrisville State College, which completed its first season of NJAC play in 2008, was selected to place 10th. Under head coach Terry Dow, the Mustangs have posted a 6-23 record in NCAA Division

 

The 41st season of NJAC football will kickoff on Saturday, September 5 with five league teams in action, including conference match-ups featuring Buffalo State at TCNJ, and Brockport at William Paterson. Each NJAC program will play nine conference games in an 11-week season. The winner of the NJAC championship receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.

 


2009 NJAC Football
Preseason Coaches Poll
   
1. Rowan (5)
2. SUNY Cortland (4)
3. Montclair State (1)
4. Kean (dark horse)
5. The College at Brockport
6. The College of New Jersey
7. William Paterson
8. Western Connecticut
9. Buffalo State
10. Morrisville State
   
First Place Votes In Parentheses