Throwback Thursday - 1987

Danny Hale's team was loaded with talent and was coming off an appearance in the PSAC championship game. Coming off a loss in the title tilt to IUP, a rematch of that game in the opening week of the season would give a sense of how things might end. West Chester hosted the Indians (as they were then known) and throttled them by a score of 31-7. Things were looking up.

Jason Sims rushed for 272 yards in a non-conference 30-3 win over American International which was followed by a trip to nearby Newark. A hard fought contest went to the Division IAA Blue Hens by a 28-21 score. The Golden Rams would then breeze through the remainder of their PSAC schedule, with the high octane offense putting up 41 points per game during that stretch of seven games. Besides the six teams in the east division, West Chester also downed the Edinboro Fighting Scots, a game in which Jason Sims and Todd Madison each eclipsed 100 yards rushing.

Al Niemela

This set up a rematch of the 1986 PSAC championship game with IUP, and after the early season dominance that West Chester showed, expectations for a crown were high. But once again, the Indians came away with a 21-9 win which cost West Chester a trip to the NCAA playoffs. The team finished 9-2 for the second consecutive season.

Jason Sims

The Golden Rams placed several skill position players on the first team All-PSAC East team including quarterback Al Niemela (2,445 yards and 22 touchdowns passing), running back Jason Sims (1,368 yards rushing), wide receiver Bill Hess (44 catches for 949 yards and 10 touchdowns), tackle Jay Buchanon, and guard Ralph Tamm. Second team offense members were tackle Bob Phillips, guard Joe Szczerba, wide receiver Jim Shehan, and fullback Todd Madison (12 touchdowns). From the West Chester defense, which had 27 interceptions, linemen Mike Testa and Mike Carnesale (10.5 sacks), linebacker Pat Tryson (79 total tackles), and defensive backs Dominic Kurtyan and Andre McFadden made All-PSAC East. Not to be overlooked was 28 yr-old punter Chart Hollenbach who was named to the first team All-PSAC East.

Chart Hollenbah

Ralph Tamm was named AFCA First Team All-American and was then selected in the ninth round of the NFL draft by the New York Jets.