Alumni News - McDermott Featured

Former Golden Ram captain and fullback Brian McDermott will be featured in January 6th issue of ESPN the Magazine on how his relationship with West Chester football is helping him overcome the effects of an accident that he incurred over the summer. Below is a sneak peek.

ESPN.com - Everything to gain

Player News - White Owns WCU Record Book

Over his four years, Rondell White proved to be one of the most dangerous running backs in Division II and the best ever at West Chester. He started his career for the Golden Rams primarily as a receiver and return man, and managed 925 all-purpose yards on 70 touches in his freshman season. In his sophomore year, White showed that he was a multipurpose threat, gaining 701 yards rushing, 409 yards receiving and 324 yards on returns. No longer a secret on offense, he set the West Chester rushing record with 1,548 yards as a junior and added 624 yards receiving. And in his senior season, White accounted for 41% of the Golden Ram offense with 1,989 yards rushing and 843 yards receiving. He had more catches as a senior (75) than he had total touches as a freshman (70).

Rondell White had over 4,000 yards rushing in his career (Photo Ray Doyle)

Here's a look at the West Chester records that he now claims:

• Rushing Yards in a Season: 1,989 - White broke Mike Eckmeyer's 2002 record of 1,539 yards in his junior year with a 227 yard effort at Clarion. Then in his senior season, he broke his own single season mark against Clarion. The four playoff games merely extended his single season total. His 2013 total ranks seventh best in the PSAC.
  


• Rushing Yards in a Career: 4,336 - This record was broken early in the playoff game against American International. Derrick Price held the previous mark of 4,008 when he played for the Golden Rams from 1987 to 1990.


• Rushing Attempts in a Season: 406- Due to his 5-9, 180 lb size, there were always questions about White's durability of being an every down back. But he never missed a game and averaged over 27 carries per game in his senior season, breaking the previous record of 295 set by Mike Eckmeyer in 2002. His 406 carries in a season is also a Division II record.
  


• Rushing Attempts in a Career: 844- Considering White only had 17 carries in his freshman season, this is an astonishing record. Another testament to his durability, he topped Derrick Price's record of 812 carries which he set from 1987-1990.
  


• Rushing Touchdowns in a Season: 21 - This is another record that White set without the benefit of the postseason. The previous record of 18 was initially set by by Joe Iacone in 1962 and was equalled by Bert Nye in 1967. White scored his 19th rushing touchdown of 2013 against Clarion and tacked on two more in the playoffs.


• All Purpose Yards in a Season: 3,107 - In his junior season, White got close to the record of 2,264 set by Mike Irving in 1984 when he amassed 2,202 all purpose yards. But in his senior year, he left little doubt when he eclipsed the mark in just ten games. The final five games of the season pushed White over the 3,000 yard mark on his way to the new standard.


• All Purpose Yards in a Career: 7,668 - The Derrick Price record of 6,495 fell by over 1,000 yards as White became just the second player among all levels of NCAA football history to have at least 4,000 yards rushing, 2,000 yards receiving and 1,000 return yards in his four year career.


• Touchdowns in a Season: 24 - White scored 21 rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns in 2013 surpassing the previous record of 22 set by receiver Brian Penecale in 1994.
  


• Points scored in a Season: 144 - Those 24 touchdowns scored this year totaled 144 points which eclipsed the previous single season scoring mark of 132 also set in 1994 by receiver Brian Penecale.
  


• 200-Yard Rushing Games in a Season: 4 - Thomas Fulton held the previous record of two 200-yard rushing games in 1997. Only traveling fans got to see White set this mark last season as he ground out 209 yards at Delaware, 200 yards at California, 211 yards at Bloomsburg and 227 yards at Clarion.
  


• 200-Yard Rushing Games in a Career: 7 - Fulton also held this record with three 200-yard games from 1994-1997. Besides White's four 200-yard games last season, he also ran for 203 yards against East Stroudsburg in his sophomore season, and went for 245 yards at Gannon and 227 yards at Millersville this year.
  

Rondell White had over 2,000 yards receiving in four seasons (Photo Ray Doyle)

Here's a list of the honors that White has received while at West Chester:

- 2013 AFCA Coaches' All-American Team (All Purpose)
- 2013 Associated Press Little All-American Team (All Purpose)
- 2013 First Team Beyond Sports Network All-American (Running Back)
- 2013 Second Team Daktronics All-American (Running Back)
- 2013 First Team Daktronics All-Super Region 1 (Running Back)
- 2013 ECAC Offensive Player of the Year
- 2013 ECAC Division II Football All-Star Team (Running Back)
- 2013 First Team All-PSAC East (Running Back)
- 2012 Golden Ram Football Club Player of the Year
- 2012 West Chester University Football Athlete of the Year
- 2012 Second Team Beyond Sports Network All-American (Athlete)
- 2012 Second Team Don Hansen’s Football Gazette All-American (All Purpose)
- 2012 Honorable Mention D2Football.com All-American (All Purpose)
- 2012 First Team Don Hansen’s Football Gazette All Super Region 1 (All Purpose)
- 2012 Second Team Daktronics All-Super Region 1 (Running Back)
- 2012 First Team All-PSAC East (Running Back)

Rondell White had over 1,000 career return yards (Photo Ray Doyle)

Team News - Golden Rams Finish AFCA #4

After West Chester reached the national semi-finals, the Golden Rams (13-2) finished ranked #4 in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II poll of the year. Since finishing the regular season ranked #15, West Chester defeated Northeast 10 champion American International 38-7, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champion Bloomsburg 40-38, and Mountain East Conference champion Shepherd 28-7, before falling to South Atlantic Conference champion Lenoir-Rhyne in the national semi-finals.

The Golden Rams open the 2014 season at New Haven in West Haven, CT on the weekend of September 6.

American Football Coaches Association - Division II Coaches’ Poll – November 18, 2013

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Football Finishes Season Ranked Fourth In AFCA Poll

Player News - Leo's Multiple WCU Kicking Records

If West Chester football fans were asked who the best kicker in school history is, the response is likely to reveal something about their age. Younger fans are likely to say Alex Walsh. Fans approaching middle age might name John Marotta or Eric Wentling while those that are senior citizens might say that Barry Stevenson was the best. And all of those fans would have had reason to claim "their guy" was the right answer. Until now.

Shawn Leo converts a 25-yard field goal against New Haven (Photo Ray Doyle)

Golden Ram kicker Shawn Leo just completed his career at West Chester and has broken records that had been held by every one of those guys previously named. Some of the marks stood for just five years while others have been around for over 40 years!!! The senior from Harleysville was named All-PSAC East second team this season. Here's a look at the West Chester kicking records that he now claims:

• Field Goals Made in a Game: 4 - Leo kicked four field goals in the first game of the 2011 season at New Haven. He was perfect on the day, converting from 33, 32, 28 and 30 yards with the last one coming in overtime. Then in the final game of the 2012 season at Clarion, he matched the performance by making field goals from 40, 32, 45 and 36. He equaled the feat yet again at Bloomsburg in the 2013 playoffs when he converted from 28, 21, 32 and 43. Several players, including Leo, were tied for the previous record of three.
  


• Field Goals Made in a Season: 16 - In 2011, Leo converted on 15 attempts, eclipsing the previous team record of 12 held by Eric Wentling in 1984. Then in 2013, Leo topped his own mark when he notched his 16th of the season at Bloomsburg in the second round of the playoffs.
  


• Field Goals Made in a Career: 53 - The previous mark was held by John Marotta who converted 30 field goals from 1987-1990. Leo eclipsed this mark in his junior year and went on to make 53 in his four years at West Chester. This mark is second in the PSAC behind only Bloomsburg's Dan Fisher (2010-2013) who finished his career with 57.
  


• Field Goal Percentage in a Season: 90% - As a freshman, Leo converted on nine of ten attempts for a 90% success rate. His only miss was his first collegiate attempt, a 49-yarder in the closing seconds of the first half at Slippery Rock. The previous mark of 72.7% was set by John Zelenak in 1979.
  


• Field Goal Percentage in a Career: 76.8% - Alex Walsh held the record of 70.1% from 2005-2008. Leo converted on 53 of 69 attempts for a 76.8% success rate in his four year career.
  


• Points After Touchdown in a Season: 70 - PAT's can only be attempted when the team scores a touchdown, so part of this achievement goes to the offense. The previous mark of 52 was held by Barry Stevenson in 1971. Second in the PSAC behind East Stroudsburg's Mark Brubaker (74, 2005).
  


• Points After Touchdown in a Career: 189 - Alex Walsh held the record of 179 from 2005-2008. The Golden Rams participated in the playoffs in each of those four seasons, giving Walsh an additional six games played. Leo got to participate in the playoffs for the first time in his senior season when the Golden Rams reached the national semi-finals. This mark is second in the PSAC behind Bloomsburg's Dan Fisher (190).
  


• Point After Touchdown Percentage in a Season: 98.6% - Leo also made the most of his opportunities by making 70 of 71 attempts in 2013. In his freshman season, Leo equaled the previous record of 94.7% which was held by Eric Wentling in 1982. His conversion percentage improved each year, hitting 97.2% in his sophomore year and 98.0% in his junior year prior to having his best mark in his final season.
  


• Point After Touchdown Percentage in a Career: 97.4% - Another Eric Wentling mark fell over the past four years. Wentling converted 92.5% of his PAT attempts from 1981-1984. Leo converted on 189 of 194 attempts to set a new career West Chester PAT success rate.
  


• Kicking Points in a Season: 118 - John Marotta had 79 points in 1988. In 2011, Leo broke that record by kicking for 80 points. Then in 2012, he broke his own record by making 48 PAT's and 13 field goals for a season high 87 points. Finally in 2013, he notched 118 kicking points on 16 field goals and 70 PAT's. This mark is tied for the best season in the PSAC with Mike Geary of IUP in 1993.
  


• Kicking Points in a Career: 348 - In his four years at West Chester, Alex Walsh converted 179 PAT's and 24 field goals for 251 career kicking points. In the past four seasons, Leo converted 189 PATs and 53 field goals for 348 career points. Leo is second in PSAC in this category behind Bloomsburg's Dan Fisher (361).
  

Leo is the most accomplished kicker in West Chester history (Photo Ray Doyle)

Player News - White Finishes Fifth in Harlon Hill Ballot

West Chester running back Rondell White finished fifth in the voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy which is presented annually to the Division II Football Player of the Year. Bloomsburg's Franklyn Quiteh won the award. White received four first place votes, 14 second place votes and 16 third place votes for a total of 56 points. He was narrowly behind Tusculum quarterback Bo Cordell who finished with 57 points. Quiteh had 182 points and was followed by West Texas A&M quarterback Dustin Vaughan (146 points) and Henderson State quarterback Kevin Rodgers (100 points). This is the highest finish ever for a West Chester player since the award began in 1986. Former Golden Ram wide receiver Mike Washington finished seventh in 2008.

White was key to the Golden Rams' playoff run (Photo Bert Garbutt)

White is the most decorated player in Golden Ram football history. This season he has won two PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week awards, three ECAC Offensive Player of the Week awards, was named first team All-PSAC East, ECAC Division II Offensive Player of the Year, first team Daktronics All-Super Region 1, first team Beyond Sports Network All-American, first team AP Little All-American and first team AFCA Coaches' All-American. He is in the top ten in the country in several offensive categories including rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total yards. White led West Chester into the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and to the national semi-finals for the first time since 2004.

Harlon Hill Trophy - Franklyn Quiteh Wins 2013 Hill Trophy as Division II Football Player of the Year

Player News - White, Williams lead 2013 ECAC All-Star Team

The West Chester University Golden Rams placed six players on the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) 2013 Division II All-Star Team. Leading the way were senior running back Rondell White who was named the Offensive Player of the Year and junior linebacker Ronell Williams who was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

They were joined on the squad by senior left guard Trey Farmer, senior left tackle Justin Bathurst, senior right tackle Adam Citko and junior cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz.

ECAC Announces 2013 Division II Football All-Star Team

West Chester Athletic Site - White and Williams Garner Major Awards From ECAC; Six Rams Named To Squad

Player News - Rondell White Named All-American

Senior running back Rondell White has been named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' All-America Team as the all-purpose player. White was also named the first team all-purpose player on the Associated Press Little All-America team which honors the top players in Division II, III and NAIA.

Rondell White was dangerous both running and receiving (Photo Ray Doyle)

White finished in the top ten in all of Division II in several categories:

• #3 - Rushing yards - 1,989
  
• #10 - Rushing yards per game - 132.6
  
• #5 - Rushing touchdowns - 21
  
• #2 - Total touchdowns - 24
  
• #3 - Total points - 144
  
• #1 - All purpose yards - 3,107
  
• #4 - All purpose yards per game - 207.1
  

White after the victory at Shippensburg (Photo Geoff Ruth)

West Chester Athletic Site - Rondell White Caps Illustrious Career With AFCA All-America Selection

West Chester Athletic Site - Rondell White Named AP Little All-America

American Football Coaches Association - AFCA Annouces 2013 Division II Coaches' All-America Team

Miami Herald - AP Little All-America Team

Daily Local News - West Chester's White named Division II All-American

Player News - Farmer, White Named Daktronics All-Americans

Two Golden Rams have been named to the 2013 Daktronics Division II All-American football team. Senior running back Rondell White and left guard Trey Farmer were both named to the second team.

Rondell White and Trey Farmer were named to the
Daktronics All-American Team

2013 Daktronics All-American Team

Club News - December 19 Meeting

The Golden Ram Football Club will be meeting on Thursday at 7:45 pm at Timothy's in the Parkway Shopping Center in West Chester. The meeting will begin immediately following the Bill Zwaan Football Show which is also held at Timothy's starting at 7:00pm. Golden Ram fans unable to attend the show can listen to it live on WCHE1520AM.COM. The meeting will not be broadcast.

According to the Bill Zwaan Football Show facebook page, senior running back Rondell White and junior linebacker Ronell Williams will be the special guests on Coach Zwaan's show.

All-American Rondell White as featured guest on the Bill Zwaan Football Show

Come out to Timothy's at 7:00 pm to participate in the show live.

Player News - Bruno, Farmer Honored for Academics

Rich Bruno
Trey Farmer

Two West Chester Golden Ram players have received honors for their performance on the field and in the classroom this season. Senior left tackle Trey Farmer and junior punter Rich Bruno were both named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football Team. Additionally, Bruno was identified as the 2013 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football Performer of the Year. Both players were previously named Daktronics Division II All-Super Region 1. It's the second consecutive year that Farmer was named to the 24-man team. The Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football team is voted on by the sports information directors of the 28 colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area.

West Chester Athletics - Rich Bruno Named Philly-SIDA Academic All-Area Performer Of The Year; Trey Farmer Also Honored