Team News - College Football America Ranks West Chester

The Golden Rams have received preseason recognition from College Football America which places West Chester at #23. Also appearing on the list are PSAC East rivals Kutztown (#10), which West Chester will host on November 6, and Shepherd (#16), to where the Golden Rams will travel on October 23. PSAC West schools Slippery Rock (#3) and Indiana (#13) are also among CFA's preseason top 30.

Shepherd Athletic Site - Shepherd Football Ranked 16th in 2021 College Football America Division II Preseason Top 30

Alumni News - Milano Seamen Fall in 40th Italian Bowl

Despite the efforts of former Golden Ram safety Jarey Elder, the Milano Seamen fell 40-34 in overtime to the Parma Panthers in the 40th Italian Bowl.

The Seamen found themselves down 21-0 midway through the second quarter and trailed 34-18 midway through the fourth quarter, but a pair of late touchdowns, and more importantly, a pair of two-point conversions by Elder, tied the game at 34 at the end of regulation. After the Seamen failed to score on their overtime possession, the Panthers completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to claim the championship.

Keep climbing! #NFL #CFL #FreeAgent #DB #Athlete pic.twitter.com/X764ykZpVz

— Jarey (@JareyElder21) July 20, 2021

Box Score

Italian Bowl - Panthers Parma Champions of Italy!

Alumni News - Nydair Rouse With BC Lions

Showing resilience as usual, former Golden Ram defensive back Nydair Rouse is currently in training camp with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.

In 2019, Rouse spent time with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League and the New York Guardians of the XFL. He signed with BC this past December. In the Lions' first scrimmage, he reportedly had a nice interception. The team has another scrimmage scheduled for Saturday, July 24 with camp ending on July 30. Their season opener is set for Friday, August 6 at Saskatchewan.

Nydair Rouse (Photo Ron Hockman)

BC Lions - Scrimmage One Recap

BC Lions - Rouse Draws Inspiration from Life Threatening Incident

Alumni News - Jarey Elder Returns to Italy

Now that The Spring League has officially concluded, former Golden Ram safety Jarey Elder has returned to Italy to continue the season with the Milano Seamen.

While the Seamen were set to face the Lazio Ducks in the semifinals of the Italian Division 1 playoffs, the Italian Federation of American Football, FIDAF, has since announced that the game has been cancelled and Lazio has forfeited due to COVID-19. The Seaman will now face the undefeated Parma Panthers, a 55-20 winner over Firenze Guelfi in their semi-final contest, in the 40th Italian Bowl on July 17.

Milano Sportiva - Cisalfa Seamen Milan, Jarey Elder for the semifinal with the Ducks

American Football International - Lazio Ducks forfeit semifinal game due to more COVID-19 cases; Milano Seamen advance to final

American Football International - Italian Playoffs: Not as clear cut as they seem

Cisalfa Seamen Milano - Welcome back Jarey Elder

Team News - 32 Golden Rams Named PSAC Scholar-Athletes

Thirty-two members of the Golden Ram football team have been named PSAC Scholar-Athletes for the 2020-2021 academic year. In order to qualify for the honor, athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better. There were 4,163 athletes from all 18 PSAC institutions of which 360 represented West Chester University.

Representing the football team are:

• redshirt freshman defensive back Micheal Alexander*
• redshirt freshman kicker/punter Chris Barbera*
• junior wide receiver Troy Brown
• sophomore linebacker Nick Chapman*
• redshirt freshman defensive back Matt Checchia*
• junior offensive lineman Jacob Colby*
• freshman wide receiver Junior Duffault
• freshman defensive back Dai-Jahn Dukes
• sophomore defensive lineman Michael Gobora*
• redshirt freshman fullback Mason Griffiths*
• redshirt freshman defenisve lineman Jake Hendershot*
• redshirt freshman tight end Stone Huffman*
• senior tight end Jalen Jackson
• redshirt freshman kicker/punter Derek Krug*
• junior defensive end Zach Liggitt
• freshman linebacker Marc Macione
• freshman defensive back Ben Marsico
• freshman offensive lineman Bill Martelon
• sophomore offensive lineman Jonathan Miller*
• freshman defenisve lineman Charley Mininger
• redshirt freshman wide receiver Matt Moody*
• redshirt freshman offensive lineman Logan O'Grady*
• redshirt freshman wide receiver Jahmair Rider*
• junior offensive lineman Brendan Ruskowski*
• student assistant Alexander Saionz
• junior defensive back Trael Seegars
• redshirt freshman offensive lineman Luke Stengel
• freshman offensive lineman Trey Wells
• junior linebacker Rashon Wiggins
• freshman running back Chasen Wint
• junior wide receiver Mari Wright
• junior defensive back Cole Zapf*

* Student-athletes who were also recognized as a PSAC Scholar-Athlete for the 2019-2020 academic year.

PSAC Site - PSAC Breaks Previous Scholar-Athlete Record With 4,163 in 2020-21

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Tops PSAC in Academic Honor Roll Recipients with 360

Alumni News - Former Linebacker Greg Smith Dies

Greg Smith

Former Golden Ram linebacker Greg Smith passed away on June 20. He was 34.

In his three years of football at West Chester University, Smith garnered 25 starts in 37 games including five playoff contests. In his career, he amassed 135 total tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss. He capped the 2008 playoff win over Southern Connecticut with a 30-yard interception return.

The Smith Family is using a GoFundMe to eastablish The Gregory Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Greg Smith

Team News - Golden Rams win 2019 Lambert Trophy

The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced the winners of the Lambert Trophy for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. After reaching the NCAA Division II playoffs and finishing the season with a 9-3 record, the West Chester University Golden Rams were declared the Division II winner of the Lambert Trophy for 2019. No trophy was awarded for 2020 since Division II did not play football that year.

Army was declared the FBS winner for 2020 while Penn State claimed the trophy for 2019. James Madison won the Lambrt Trophy for both 2019 and 2020. Muhlenberg was the Division III recipient for 2019, while there was no award for 2020. The Lambert Trophy recognizes supremacy in Eastern college football.

ECAC - ECAC Announces 2020 and 2019 Lambert Awards

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

A future Golden Ram will be participating in the 65th Annual DFRC Blue-Gold All★Star Football Game to be held at 7:00 pm on June 18 at University of Delaware Stadium. Lineman Patrick Methlie of Salesianum is slated to play for the Blue squad in the contest. Proceeds from the event benefit Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities.

Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens - DFRC Blue-Gold All★Star Football Game

WDEL 1150AM - 2021 Delaware Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game rosters announced

Player News - Ruskowski Receives Preseason Honors

Junior left tackle and team captain Brendan Ruskowski has been named second team preseason All-Division II by Lindy’s Sports. Ruskowski was named second team All-PSAC East after the 2019 season.

The Golden Rams do not appear in Lindy's top 25, but two of this season's scheduled opponents do: Shepherd at #16 and Indiana at #20.

Left tackle Brendan Ruskowski anchors the Golden Ram offensive line

West Chester Athletic Site - Brendan Ruskowski Named To Lindy’s Division II All-America Squad

Team News - 2021 Captains Announced

The captains for the 2021 Golden Ram footbal team have been identified. They are wide receiver Rasheem James, tight end Dan Neuhaus, offensive lineman Brendan Ruskowski, and defensive lineman Omar Peterkin.

The 2021 season will open on Thursday September 2 at Bentley in Waltham, MA.