Team News - Coach Zwaan Help Homeless Students

Head coach Bill Zwaan continues his annual efforts to help West Chester University's more than 50 homeless students during the holidays. Contributions are made through the Promise Program which is a campus support program for homeless and foster youth.

Our tradition of giving continues thanks to @WCUStuAffairs, @WCUAthletics and @WCU_RLHS! 🎁🐏💜@6abc #PromiseProgram #Ramserve #TogetherWeAreGolden pic.twitter.com/rhPY3kbekw

— West Chester U (@WCUofPA) December 18, 2018

philly.com - For homeless college students, home for the holidays means staying on campus

Alumni News - Rocky Rees Passes Away at Age 69

Former West Chester player and Shippensburg coach Rocky Rees has passed away. He was 69. Rees played fullback for the Golden Rams from 1968 to 1970 earning first team All-PSAC East in 1968, second team All-PSAC East in 1969 and first team All-PSAC East in 1970. He finished his playing career with 2,240 yards and 28 touchdowns rushing. Rees still holds the West Chester record for rushing touchdowns in a game with five in a 63-7 victory over Millersville in 1968.

Rees graduated from West Chester in 1971 and earned his master's from West Chester in 1979. He was the head coach at rival Shippensburg University from 1990-2010 and finished with a record there of 123-110-1. Rees guided the Raiders to the NCAA playoffs in 1991, 2004 and 2009 and was named PSAC West Coach of the Year in 1991, 2001, and 2004 and PSAC East Coach of the Year in 2009. Prior to Shippensburg, he coached at Susquehanna University from 1985-1989. Rees is a member of the Killinger Hall of Fame, Shippensburg University Athletic Hall of Fame, Susquehanna Athletic Hall of Fame, and South Central PA Hall of Fame.

A celebration of life will be held for Coach Rees on Saturday, December 29 at 1 PM inside the Luhrs Performing Arts Center on the campus of Shippensburg University. There will be no viewing or visitation prior to the service. A reception will follow.

WCU Athletics - Former West Chester Football Star, Rocky Rees, Passes Away

Shippensburg Athletics - Shippensburg University Mourns the Loss of Former Head Coach Rocky Rees

newarkpostonline.com - Rocky Rees, former Newark High football coach, dies at 69

Team News - Football Lifts WCU in Learfield Standings

The final Learfield Directors' Cup fall standings for Division II has West Chester University in fourth place with 220.00 points. The Golden Rams were in seventh place with 195.00 points after the first group of fall sports were considered. In those first standings, West Chester earned points from national runner-up men's soccer (90 points), national semi-finalist field hockey (55 points) and women's soccer (50 points). Since the Golden Ram football team qualified for the NCAA tournament, it contributed an additional 25 points to West Chester final fall total of 220.00 points.

Last year, West Chester had its previously highest fall placement at fifth. The Golden Rams' highest end of year placement came in both the 2007-08 and 2006-7 academic years when they finished 12th overall.

The Learfield Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.

WCU Athletics - Historic Fall Pushes West Chester to No. 4 in Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings

NACDA - Fall Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings Update

Team News - Zwaan Named AFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year

After finishing the season with a 10-1 record and a PSAC championship, Golden Ram head coach Bill Zwaan has been named AFCA Division II Region 1 Coach of the Year. Zwaan has previously received region honors in 2000 and 2001 during his time at nearby Division III Widener University. Zwaan is now a finalist for the AFCA Division II National Coach of the Year which will be announced at the American Football Coaches Awards on January 8 during the 2019 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

AFCA Division II Region 1 Coach of the Year Bill Zwaan (Photo Ron Hockman)

The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. The winners are selected by active members of the AFCA who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.

American Football Coaches Association - Nick Saban & Chris Klieman Headline 2018 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners

West Chester Athletic Site - Bill Zwaan Wins AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Honor

Team News - Golden Rams Finish #17 in AFCA Poll

After falling to New Haven in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, West Chester (10-1) finished the 2018 season ranked #17 in the final coaches' poll. Valdosta St defeated Ferris St on Saturday to capture the NCAA Division II Championship. The Golden Rams have qualified for the postseason in four of the past six seasons. West Chester finished #21 in the D2football.com poll.

West Chester's next scheduled action is in September when they host Bentley to start the 2019 season.

American Football Coaches Association - Division II Coaches’ Poll – December 17, 2018

Player News - Tyler Morrissey a Cliff Harris Award Finalist

Senior linebacker Tyler Morrissey has been named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award which is presented to the small college defensive player of the year. The award was created by the Little Rock Touchdown Club and is presented to the top defensive player among NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA schools as chosen by head coaches and a committee of college and professional football greats.

Tyler Morrissey (Photo Ron Hockman)

Already this year, Morrissey has been named as an All-American by the AFCA, AP and D2CCA. As both a junior and senior, he was named first team All-PSAC East, All-ECAC, first team Conference Commissioner's Association All-Super Region 1 and PSAC East and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year. He finished 2018 with 86 total tackles which was best for the Golden Rams. He also tallied four quarterback hurries, 8.5 sacks, a pass breakup, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

The finalists list consists of 31 players from Division II, 35 from Division III and 15 from NAIA. The overall winner will be announced on December 24 with the trophy being presented to the recipient at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet in February 2019.

Three Golden Rams have been finalists in recent years: defensive end Andrew Cohen in 2015, cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz in 2014, and linebacker Ronell Williams in 2013.

Cliff Harris Award - 2018 Cliff Harris finalists for best defensive player in DII football announced

Player News - Zwaan, Morrissey headline ECAC Awards for WCU

For the second consecutive year, linebacker Tyler Morrissey was named ECAC Defensive Player of the Year and head coach Bill Zwaan was named ECAC Coach of the Year as the The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced their Division II Football Awards for 2018.

Tyler Morrissey ECAC Defesinve Player of the Year (Photo Ron Hockman)

Morrissey was joined on the All-ECAC Team by junior quarterback A.J. Long, graduate student offensive guard Tyler Drob, senior defensive end Diquan Gilbert, sophomore linebacker Nate Barnes, senior cornerback Shaquille James, junior safety Jarey Elder, and senior punter Brendan Paulison.

ECAC Site - ECAC Announces 2018 DII Football Major Awards & All-ECAC

West Chester Athletic Site - Eight Golden Rams Dot All-ECAC Team; Morrissey and Zwaan Major Award Winners

Player News - Morrissey, Drob, Gilbert Named AP All-American

Senior linebacker Tyler Morrissey, graduate student Tyler Drob, and senior defensive end Diquan Gilbert have been named to the Associated Press Division II All-America Team.

Morrissey and Drob were both first team selections while Gilbert garnered second team honors.

Morrissey
Drob
Gilbert

The News Tribune - Ferris State’s Campbell leads AP D-II All-America team

West Chester Athletic Site - Three Golden Rams Named To Division II All-America Squad

Player News - Morrissey Named All-American Again

For the second consecutive season, linebacker Tyler Morrissey was named second team All-American by the Division 2 Conference Commissioner's Association.

The senior captain is a finalist for Cliff Harris Award, and was named first team All-PSAC East, PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year, and first team Conference Commissioner's Association All-Super Region 1 in both 2017 and 2018. After last season Morrissey was named first team All-ECAC and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, awards that have yet to be named for 2018. He finished the season with 86 total tackles which was best for the Golden Rams. He also tallied four quarterback hurries, 8.5 sacks, a pass breakup, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Tyler Morrissey (Photo Ron Hockman)

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.

D2CCA All-America Teams

Player News - Drob Receives Brooks Irvine Award

West Chester left guard Tyler Drob (Cherry Hill East) has received the 2018 Brooks Irvine Memorial Football Club of South Jersey NCAA Division II Player of the Year Award.

Drob started every game over the final three years that he played for the Golden Rams. After the 2016 season, he was named first team All-PSAC East, honorable mention All-ECAC, second team Don Hansen Football Gazette Super Region 1 and honorable mention Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American. Drob missed all of 2017 due to an injury and received a medical redshirt. After this past season, the team captain was named first team All-PSAC East, first team CCA All-Super Region 1 and was a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award.

Offensive lineman Tyler Drob (Photo Ron Hockman)

The Phillips R. Brooks Memorial Football Club was formed in 1945 to perpetuate the memory of Camden High School Athletic Director Phillips R. Brooks. Upon the passing of Collingswood High School Athletic Director Howard T. Irvine, the name of the organization was changed to to the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club of South Jersey. Its purpose is to support the scholastic athletes of South Jersey, their coaches, high schools, athletic directors, cheerleaders and all those who supported scholastic football.

Previous Golden Rams to win the award were left tackle Doub Gilbert (Lenape) in 2016, right tackle Ryan Devlin (Kingsway) in 2007, running back Mike Eckmeyer (Triton) in 2003, and Mike Carnesale (Hammonton) in 1987.

pilly.com - Burlington Twp.’s Tom Maderia is Brooks-Irvine Football Club’s Coach of the Year

Player News - Tyler Morrissey a Cliff Harris Award Nominee

Senior linebacker Tyler Morrissey has been nominated for the Cliff Harris Award which is presented to the small college defensive player of the year. The award was created by the Little Rock Touchdown Club and is presented to the top defensive player among NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA schools as chosen by head coaches and a committee of college and professional football greats.

Morrissey, a finalist for this same award after last season, was named first team All-PSAC East, PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year, and first team Conference Commissioner's Association All-Super Region 1 in both 2017 and 2018. After last year Morrissey was named first team All-ECAC and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, awards that have yet to be named for 2018. He finished the season with 86 total tackles which was best for the Golden Rams. He also tallied four quarterback hurries, 8.5 sacks, a pass breakup, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Tyler Morrissey (Photo Ron Hockman)

Cliff Harris Award - 2018 Cliff Harris Award Nominees Announced

Player News - Drob and Walsh Honored for Academics

Two West Chester Golden Ram players have received honors for their performance on the field and in the classroom this season. Graduate student left guard Tyler Drob (Mathematics) and senior center Connor Walsh (Accounting/Finance) were both named to the 2018 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football Team.

Drob
Walsh

The Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football team is voted on by the sports information directors of the 30 colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area. In order to be eligible for Academic All-Area honors, an athlete must be in at least his second year at the institution and hold a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better.

West Chester Athletics - Drob And Walsh Tabbed Academic All-Area By Philly-SIDA

Player News - Morrissey, Elder Named All-American

Senior linebacker Tyler Morrissey and junior saftey Jarey Elder have been named to the 2018 American Football Coaches Association Division II All-America team.

Morrissey, a first-team selection, logged 86 total tackles which was best for the Golden Rams. He also tallied four quarterback hurries, 8.5 sacks, a pass breakup, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.  One of his key plays this season was a blocked field goal attempt at Bloomsburg. Morrissey was previously named PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-PSAC East, and first team CCA All-Super Region 1.

Named to the second team, Elder made 46 tackles and also registered 2.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a forced fumble. But his most notable statistic was nabbing seven interceptions on the season including two in the PSAC championship game. Elder was previously named first-team All-PSAC East and first team CCA All-Super Region 1.

Morrissey
Elder

West Chester is one of only four schools with multiple players selected. Five PSAC schools had players named including California, Gannon, Lock Haven and Slippery Rock.

West Chester Athletic Site - Morrissey And Elder Tabbed All-Americans By AFCA

AFCA Site - Sioux Falls’ Gabriel Watson & Angelo State’s Markus Jones Headline 2018 Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams

Player News - Four Golden Rams Named All-Region

Four Golden Rams have been named Division 2 Conference Commissioner's Association All-Super Region 1. Senior linebacker Tyler Morrissey was named to the first team defense for the second consecutive year. He's joined this year by junior safety Jarey Elder on defense and graduate student and offensive guard Tyler Drob on offense. Senior defensive end Diquan Gilbert was named to the second team defense.

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.

Morrissey, Elder and Drob now move on to the D2CCA national ballot for All-American consideration.

West Chester Athletic Site - Four Golden Rams Dot The D2CCA All-Super Region 1 Squad

2018 D2CCA All-Super Region 1 Football Teams

Event News - November 29 Bill Zwaan Football Show

The Bill Zwaan Football Show will be held at Timothy's in the Parkway Shopping Center in West Chester starting at 7:00pm. Golden Ram fans unable to attend the show can listen to it live on WCHE1520AM.COM.

According to the Bill Zwaan Football Show, junior quarterback A.J. Long and junior safety Jarey Elder will be the special guests on Coach Zwaan's show.

In West Chester's 35-28 loss to New haven in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, Long rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown and threw for 211 yards and two more scores. He was a sparkling 16 of 20 passing before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with an injury. Meanwhile, Elder notched six solo tackles in the game. Also last week, both Long and Elder were named first team All-PSAC East for the 2018 season.

Come out to Timothy's at 7:00pm to participate in the show live. Or send your questions for coach or the players to Bill Zwaan Show.

Player News - Tyler Drob a Finalist For Gene Upshaw Award

Senior offensive guard Tyler Drob has been named a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award which is presented to the top lineman in Division II football. The award was created in 2004 by the Manheim Touchdown Club and is presented to the top junior or senior offensive or defensive lineman in Division II as selected by the sports information directors.

Offensive lineman Tyler Drob (Photo Ron Hockman)

Drob started every game over the final three years that he played for the Golden Rams. After the 2016 season, he was named first team All-PSAC East, honorable mention All-ECAC, second team Don Hansen Football Gazette Super Region 1 and honorable mention Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American. Drob missed all of last season due to an injury and received a medical redshirt. This season, the team captain has been named first team All-PSAC East.

The initial field of 46 nominees was narrowed to two finalists from each of four regions. Those eight names now comprise the national ballot. The overall winner will be announced on November 28. The annual winner has a standing invitation to the East/West Shrine Game, which gives the winner an opportunity to play in front of NFL coaches and scouts prior to the NFL Draft.

The eight finalists are:

• Super Region 1 - OG Tyler Drob - West Chester
  
• Super Region 1 - OL Austin Treneff - Notre Dame College
  
• Super Region 2 - DL Adonis Davis - Florida Tech
  
• Super Region 2 - OL Jeremy King - Valdosta State
  
• Super Region 3 - DE DaVondrick Lison - Southern Arkansas
  
• Super Region 3 - DE James Prater Jr - Ashland
  
• Super Region 4 - DE Markus Jones - Angelo State
  
• Super Region 4 - OT Trey Pipkins - Sioux Falls
  

Manheim Touchdown Club - Finalists Named for Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award

West Chester Athletic Site - Tyler Drob Named A Finalist For Gene Upshaw Award

Game Report - New Haven 35 - West Chester 28

The New Haven Chargers took down the previously undefeated Golden Rams by a score of 35-28. New Haven will now host Slippery Rock in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs while West Chester's season ends at 10-1.

Anyone who has followed the Golden Rams this season has witnessed the cracks – the inconsistent ability to run the ball, allowing opponents to cash in on big plays, the overreliance on the quarterback’s legs, the inability to score in the fourth quarter. It was easy for them to get brushed off, after all the team was 10-0, playing the likes of Bentley and Seton Hill and Lock Haven. Well Saturday New Haven exposed every one of those faults and, as a result, West Chester wasn’t able to escape with a win.

Sterlen Barr made the tackle on the opening kickoff (Photo Ron Hockman)

At halftime, the Golden Rams offense had just one net yard rushing. New Haven executed eleven plays of 15 or more yards with many of them occurring at inopportune times for West Chester. And yet, the Golden Rams miraculously entered the fourth quarter with a 28-21 lead. Tight end Dan Neuhaus and receiver Lex Rosario both hauled in first quarter touchdown passes from A.J. Long. And Long and Mike Class each ran one in during the third quarter. But the inability to move the ball on the ground – New Haven had eight tackles for loss - forced the Golden Rams to open the final frame with a punt.

Dan Neuhaus hauls in a first quarter touchdown (Photo Ron Hockman)

The backbreaker occurred when the Chargers parlayed a short, fourth-down hitch pass into a 48-yard touchdown. Even though it only tied the score at 28 and there were eleven minutes left, there was clearly some doubt on the home sideline. On West Chester’s next possession, Long scrambled to convert a third-and-seven, but was seriously injured on the play. He was helped off the field with an apparent hip injury. With backup quarterback Paul Dooley not dressed for the game, in stepped redshirt freshman Mike Piperno. Now Piperno started and played fairly well at East Stroudsburg, but this was not an East Stroudsburg defense that he was facing. And other than Class’s 27-yard touchdown run and anything A.J. Long, this was a Golden Ram running game that managed just 28 yards through three quarters.

Eli Hall's over the shoulder catch set up WCU's second score (Photo Ron Hockman)

After Brendan Paulison’s fifth punt of the game, New Haven executed a couple of more big plays – a 23-yard quarterback scramble and a 33-yard pass – which setup the go ahead score. While the Golden Rams managed one first down on the ensuing possession, the drive stalled at the New Haven 46-yard line to end the season.

A.J. Long battles his way to the end zone (Photo Ron Hockman)

Ironically, the Golden Ram defense forced five New Haven punts, and four of those came on three-and-out possessions. Defensive end Diquan Gilbert had two clean sacks and was credited for third when New Haven was flagged for intentional grounding. Ch'aim Smith also was awarded a sack on an intentional grounding call. Four sacks in one game, when New Haven had surrendered just three all season. But on the flip side, the Chargers rolled up 141 yards on the ground split fairly evenly between their two running backs. Coming into the game, West Chester allowed an average of just 60 rushing yards per game.

Diquon Gilbert envelopes the New Haven QB (Photo Ron Hockman)

This 2018 Golden Rams team finished the regular season a perfect 10-0, captured a share of the PSAC East title for the second year in a row, won the overall PSAC championship for the first time in almost 50 years, and earned a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the second consecutive year. Disappointment hardly seems like an appropriate word. But with a home playoff game and with at least one more on the horizon, the expectations for the season were much greater than realized.

Mike Class breaks a tackle on his way to the end zone (Photo Ron Hockman)

Notes - Also not available for the game was wide receiver Gabe Schappell. Schappell had seen limited playing time this season, but had four catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns over two recent games…Of 421 points scored this season by the Golden Rams, only 34 came in the fourth quarter...Tyler Morrissey made 13 tackles in his final collegiate game.

Sortable Box Score    Coaches Box Score

West Chester Athletic Site - No. 8 West Chester Stunned By New Haven, 35-28

New Haven Athletic Site - New Haven Takes Down No. 8 West Chester, Will Host Slippery Rock Next Weekend

Daily Local News - Conn. Job: West Chester Univ. upset at home in NCAA first round

NCAA - The first round of the DII Football Championship is in the books. Here's what we learned

New Haven Register - Patterson, New Haven rally past West Chester in D-II tournament opener

The Charger Bulletin - Chargers Win NCAA Playoff Thriller

Ron Hockman - Photo Album - NCAA Rd 1 First Quarter

Ron Hockman - Photo Album - NCAA Rd 1 Second Quarter

Ron Hockman - Photo Album - NCAA Rd 1 Third Quarter

Ron Hockman - Photo Album - NCAA Rd 1 Fourth Quarter

D2football - NE10 Columnist - Week 12 Thoughts

Team News - WCU Playoff Record Under Zwaan

Head coach Bill Zwaan is now in his 16th year at West Chester and this will be the Golden Rams' ninth appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. He is 10-8 in his previous eight appearances and has led his team to the national semi-finals in both 2004 and 2013. Zwaan is 6-2 in the first round of the playoffs, 4-1 in playoff games at Farrell Stadium, and 10-2 overall against Northeast-10 opponents. West Chester enters this season's playoffs as the third seed in Super Region 1 and is set to host New Haven on Saturday at 1:00pm.

Bill Zwaan enters his ninth Division II postseason (Photo Ron Hockman)

West Chester in the Playoffs Under Zwaan:

Year	Seed	Round	H/A	Opponent	Conf	W/L	Score
2004	4	First	Home	C.W. Post	NE10	Win	35-3
2004	4	Second	Away	Shippensburg	PSAC	Win	33-28
2004	4	Regional	Away	East Stroud.	PSAC	Win	48-38
2004	4	Semi	Away	Valdosta St	GSC	Loss	45-21
2005	5	First	Away	C.W. Post	NE10	Loss	24-20
2006	6	First	Away	Bryant	NE10	Win	31-29
2006	6	Second	Away	Bloomsburg	PSAC	Loss	21-20
2007	3	First	Home	Indiana	PSAC	Loss	45-25
2008	4	First	Home	South. Conn.	NE10	Win	52-32
2008	4	Second	Away	Bloomsburg	PSAC	Loss	28-21
2013	3	First	Home	American Int	NE10	Win	38-7
2013	3	Second	Away	Bloomsburg	PSAC	Win	40-38
2013	3	Regional	Away	Shepherd	MEC	Win	28-7
2013	3	Semi	Away	Lenoir-Rhyne	SAC	Loss	42-14
2014	4	First	Home	Slippery Rock	PSAC	Win	46-20
2014	5	Second	Away	Concord	MES	Loss	52-36
2017	5	First	Away	Shippensburg	PSAC	Win	27-6
2017	5	Second	Away	Indiana	PSAC	Loss	44-10