Golden Ram Football Club: June 2014

Monday, June 30, 2014

Team News - Spring 2014 WCU AD Academic Honor Roll Announced

West Chester University recently released the Spring 2014 Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll and 38 Golden Ram football players appear on that list. Qualifying for the list requires maintaining a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average or by recording a 3.00 grade point average for the semester. Among the repeat performers (noted in bold) are captains Mike Labor, Derek Schatz and Ronell Williams. The list also includes 12 first year players.

Name	Pos	Year	GPA	Hometown/School
Jared Bonacquisti	FB	SR	3.39	Boothwyn, PA/Garnet Valley
Courtland Bragg	DB	SO	3.26	Winslow Twp, NJ/Winslow Twp
Rich Bruno	P	JR	3.90	Holland, PA/Council Rock South
Andrew Cohen	DT	SO	3.09	Holland, PA/Council Rock South
James Colivas	OL	JR	3.30	Drexel Hill, PA/Msgr Bonner
Adam Dempsey	WR	SO	3.29	Secane, PA/Cardinal O'Hara
Andrew Derr	QB	R-FR	3.13	Willow Grove, PA/Upper Dublin
Tyler Drob	OL	FR	3.20	Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East
John Dubyk	DL	FR	3.63	Sellersville, PA/Pennridge
Kevin Duggan	LB	FR	3.22	Chalfont. PA/Central Bucks West
Jarel Elder	RB	FR	3.29	Allentown, PA/Parkland
Drew Formica	LB	SO	3.58	Newtown Square, PA/Cardinal O'Hara
Pete Galiano	DB	FR	3.87	Haddon Heights, NJ/Camden Catholic
Doug Gilbert	OT	R-FR	3.17	Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape
Mike Hagan	LB	SO	3.06	Marlton, NJ/Holy Cross
Alex Host	OL	FR	3.70	Havertown, PA/Haverford
Jeremy Irving	DB	R-FR	3.18	Garnet Valley, PA/Garnet Valley
Kyle Keyser	DB	R-FR	3.85	Garnet Valley, PA/Garnet Valley
Tim Keyser	WR	SR	3.17	Garnet Valley, PA/Garnet Valley
Mike Labor	LB	JR	3.11	Havertown, PA/St. Joseph's Prep
Teon Lee	LB	SO	3.67	Lancaster, PA /Penn Manor
Barry Lyons	DE	SO	3.26	Mechanicsburg, PA /Cumberland Valley
Pat McCabe	DB	FR	3.25	Malvern, PA/St. Joseph's Prep
Sean McCartney	QB	JR	3.00	Doylestown, PA/Archbishop Wood
John McGilligan	DB	R-FR	3.07	Clifton Heights, PA/Monsignor Bonner
Tony McGuane	WR	FR	3.00	Dunnellen, NJ/Dunnellen
Brandon Monk	RB	SO	3.08	West Grove, PA/Avon Grove
Pat Moriarty	QB	FR	3.52	Gladwyne, PA/Harriton
Clint Passarella	DB	SO	3.13	Harleysville, PA /Souderton
Brandon Pepper	DB	SO	3.40	Levittown, PA/Pennsbury
Drew Persa	LB	SO	3.56	Bethlehem, PA /Liberty
James Rusenko	QB	SO	3.11	Mechanicsburg, PA Mechanicsburg
Derek Schatz	C	JR	3.27	Churchville, PA/Council Rock South
Blaise Schieler	DB	R-FR	3.13	Lansdowne, PA/West Catholic
Dan Sherry	DB	FR	3.30	Havertown, PA/St. Joseph's Prep
Marcus Sydnor	WR	FR	3.13	Havertown, PA/Haverford
Dylan Thomas	FB	FR	3.46	Dillsburg, PA/North York
Ronell Williams	LB	JR	3.00	Chester, PA /Chester

WCU Athletic Site - West Chester Announces WCU AD Spring Honor Roll

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Alumni News - Guskiewicz Continues Concussion Work

Although he never played football for the Golden Rams, one West Chester University alumnus is playing a role with the game of football. Dr. Kevin M. Guskiewicz is the Kenan Distinguished Professor and Co-Director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center and Director of the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research has focused on the area of sport-related concussion for almost the past 20 years and the 1989 WCU alumnus spoke at his alma mater's 2010 winter commencement. As a member of both the NFL's and players union safety committees, he speaks on the prospects of all NFL teams using accelerometer devices in the 2015 season. These devices could provide valuable information in Guskiewicz's research. In the past few years, several Golden Ram players have had their playing career cut short due to head trauma.

USA Today - All NFL teams may be using head impact sensors by 2015

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Alumni News - DePalma to Roughriders Practice Squad

Two days after being released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, former Golden Ram wide receiver Dan DePalma has been named to their practice squad. He is one of four wide receivers on the Riders' practice squad and the only non-Canadian among them. DePalma had signed a free agent contract with the Riders earlier this month. He spent last year on the San Diego Chargers' practice squad after catching seven passes for 70 yards in the preseason. He spent 2012 on the New York Giants practice squad and 2011 in the New York Jets' training camp.

The Riders open the regular season on Sunday, June 29 when they host West Chester alumnus Sam Scott and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a rematch of last year's Grey Cup.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Alumni News - DePalma, Scott Take a Shot at CFL

Two former Golden Rams recently completed preseason training camps with Canadian Football League teams. Dan DePalma, who had spent time with New York Giants, New York Jets and San Diego Chargers of the NFL, was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Despite being listed second on the depth chart at wide receiver, DePalma failed to register a catch in the preseason and was released on Saturday.

DePalma had signed a free agent contract with the Riders earlier this month. He spent last year on the Chargers' practice squad after catching seven passes for 70 yards in the preseason. He spent 2012 on the Giants practice squad and 2011 in the Jets' training camp.

Meanwhile, Sam Scott finds himself on the one-game injured list of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Scott registered two tackles, two special teams tackles and a sack in the Tiger-Cats' final preseason game on Thursday. In five games last year with Hamilton, Scott notched 16 tackles and a sack. In 2012, He logged 4.5 sacks with the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul. He played in two games for the Calgary Stampeders in 2011.

Regina Leader-Post - Riders' Dan DePalma hopes to make a name for himself

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Alumni News - Walsh to PFSCA Hall of Fame

West Chester University assistant coach Joe Walsh has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) Hall of Fame. He became the Golden Rams defensive line coach prior to last season in which WCU finished 13-2 with a trip to the national semi-finals. Prior to that, he spent 20 years as head coach of West Chester Henderson High School where he accumulated a record of 148-117. Walsh is a 1972 graduate of West Chester University and a member of the Killinger Hall of Fame.

Daily Local News - Ex-Henderson coach Walsh inducted into Hall of Fame

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Alumni News - Leo Does It Again

For the second time in six weeks, former Golden Ram kicker Shawn Leo converted a game-winning field goal with seconds left. Back in early May, Leo booted a 28-yard attempt with seven seconds left to give the Trenton Freedom a 33-32 win. Yesterday, he nailed a 30-yarder with five seconds left to give the Freedom a 49-47 win over the Alabama Hammers. The victory clinched the Professional Indoor Football League National Division for Trenton with two regular season games left to play.

"If you do not think we have the best kicker in the league, watch film," Freedom head coach Kevin O'Hanlon said. "As long as his foot is on the turf, it's in his range. Shawn Leo is an asset, he's valuable. How many games without that kicker are W's? He's responsible for a lot of them."

Due to other obligations, Leo didn't travel to Huntsville with the team, but made the trip early Saturday for the evening start. He also converted a pair of Uno's (Kicking through the uprights on a kickoff) in the game which proved to be the margin of victory.

The Freedom host the Georgia Fire this Saturday at the Sun National Bank Center before closing the regular season at American Division champion Nashville on June 28. Trenton will host a first round playoff game on Saturday, July 5, at 7:00 pm against an opponent that has yet to be determined.

Leo continues to lead the PIFL in kick scoring with 7.8 points per game and PAT percentage with 87.2% and is second in the league in field goal percentage at 35.0%. He is the best kicker in West Chester University history and was awarded the Bill Vansant Memorial Special Teams Award the past three years.

Trenton Freedom - Leo’s Crucial Kick Gives Freedom Win, Conference Title

Alabama Hammers - Hammers Go Down in Wild One with Freedom

The Trentonian - Trenton Freedom rally to sixth straight win

The Times of Trenton - Trenton Freedom in control after beating Alabama Saturday

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Event News - DFRC Blue-Gold All★Star Football Game

A future Golden Ram will be participating in the 59th Annual DFRC Blue-Gold All★Star Football Game to be held at 7:00 pm on June 21 at University of Delaware Stadium. Defensive back Mike Catalano of St. Mark's High School is slated to play safety for the Blue squad in the contest and was elected as a captain by his teammates. Proceeds from the event benefit Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities.

The 59th DFRC Blue-Gold All*Star Football Game

Delaware Online - Blue team’s Furey an all-star all over field

Delaware Online - Gridiron stars have one last showcase

Delaware Online - Gold team pride outshines even fierce rivalries

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Team News - Sporting News Recognizes Golden Rams, Williams

Preseason rankings and All-America teams continue to roll in and West Chester University is receiving a lot of attention. Sporting News has ranked the Golden Rams sixth in their preseason Division II Top 25 poll. Sporting News also named linebacker Ronell Williams a preseason All-American. The 6'1", 230lb senior from Chester was named first team All-PSAC East, first team Daktronics All-Super Region 1, and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year last season.

Ronell Williams led the team in tackles in 2013 (Photo Bert Garbutt)

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Football Receiving Plenty Of Attention In Preseason

Daily Local News - West Chester U. football has high hopes

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Team News - Lindy's Tabs Golden Rams, Schatz

Although it's only early June and there are still several high school all-star games yet to be played, preseason rankings and All-America teams are being announced. Lindy's Sports has the Golden Rams ranked eighth in their preseason Division II Top 25 poll, citing sixth-year quarterback Sean McCartney as "the face of the offense" with the departure of running back Rondell White. Lindy's also named center Derek Schatz second team preseason All-Division II on the offensive line. The 6'3", 285lb senior from Council Rock South transferred from Villanova after his freshman season and received first team All-PSAC honors last season.

Center Derek Schatz (Photo Bert Garbutt)