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2 Super Region 1 Championships 18 PSAC Championships 10 PSAC Eastern Division Championships
SERIES HISTORY (0-0) vs. (0-0) Overall: ...... WCU leads, 2-0 West Chester Bentley In Waltham, Mass.: ...... WCU leads, 1-0 Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 6 p.m. Bentley Stadium Waltham, Mass. In West Chester, Pa.: ...... WCU leads, 1-0 GOLDEN RAMS FALCONS Last Meeting: ...... WCU won 51-9 (8-31-17) 2017 Record: 9-4, (6-1 PSAC East) 2017 Record: 6-4, (6-3 NE-10) Head Coach: Bill Zwaan, Sr. Head Coach: Bill Kavanaugh TELEVISION / VIDEO STREAM Record: 125-58 (16th season) Record: 21-22 (6th season) Bentley University will provide a live video stream Overall: 179-72 (22nd season) Overall: Same
of all the action Thursday night from Bentley Sta- 1 GAME dium. The University has partnered with Stretch Internet to stream its home football games live on OPENING KICK the world wide web. West Chester University begins its 97th season Live Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ of intercollegiate football and 16th under the di- bentley rection of head coach Bill Zwaan when the Golden Rams travel to Waltham, Mass., for a non-league RADIO contest against Bentley University. Radio: WCHE 1520 AM It marks the third straight year that West Ches- Play-by-Play: Mike Samsel ter will open its gridiron campaign against the Analyst: Jimmy Zaborney Falcons. Th e two schools signed a four-year agree- ment in 2016 and will fi nish out that contract next Live Audio: season when Bentley makes a return trip to West www.wche1520.com Chester, Pa., to open the 2019 slate. ONLINE: WCUPAGOLDENRAMS.COM West Chester is 57-37-2 overall in season open- West Chester University’s offi cial athletics web ers since 1920 and 30-28-1 in season openers on site has the most comprehensive and complete the road. Additionally, the Golden Rams are 6-3 pre-game and post-game coverage of West against Northeast 10 opponents on the road in sea- Chester football during the season. son openers, including a win over Bentley in 2016 (31-24). West Chester shows a 9-6 mark in season Live Stats: http://www.bentleyfalcons.com/sports/ openers under Bill Zwaan (since 2003), and are 6-4 Head coach Bill Zwaan begins his 16th season fball/2018-19/boxscores/20180830_dnvc.xml in road season openers since Zwaan took over. patrolling West Chester’s sideline. He has led West Chester is coming off a 9-4 season that his charges to the PSAC Eastern Division title in SOCIAL MEDIA two of the last three seasons and is the odds on Facebook: West Chester Athletics saw the Golden Rams qualify for the NCAA II favorite to do so again in 2018. Twitter: @WCUAthletics Playoff s for the 12th time in school history and ad- Instagram: WCUAthletics vance to the second round of the Super Region I bracket. Bentley is coming off a 6-4 campaign WCU SINCE ZWAAN’S ARRIVAL IN 2003 in 2017 in which the Falcons fi nished third 125-58 overall record (.683) in the Northeast 10 standings. Bentley de- 75-19 conference record (.798) feated conference powers New Haven, at 18-game conference winning streak (2006-09) home in overtime, and on the road at na- 9 seasons with one conference loss, or less tionally ranked Assumption in its fi nal two 5 PSAC East titles games of the season. Th e Falcons will try 4 PSAC East coach of the year awards to carry some of that momentum over into 4 Harlon Hill Finalists the 2018 season as they, once again, take 3 PSAC Championship Game appearances 3 undefeated conference efforts (2004, ‘07, ‘08) on a postseason participant. 3 assistant coaches who have been on Zwaan’s staff all of his 16 years at West Chester (Mike Furlong, Gerald Toney, Nick Sama). 2018 SCHEDULE
@ BEN GAN @ SHU MILL SHIP @ BU @ ESU @ KU LHU @ CLAR Aug. 30 Sep. 8 Sep 15 Sep. 22 Sep 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 6 p.m. 12 p.m. 2 p.m. 12 p.m. 12 p.m. 2 p.m. 4:05 p.m. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m.
12 NCAA Tournament Appearances 2 Semifi nal Appearances @WCUAthletics Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY A WIN TODAY WOULD ... PSAC PRESEASON SPORTS INFORMATION CONTACTS mark the third consecutive season in which West Chester COACHES POLL opened its football campaign with a win over Bentley while giv- EAST JAMES ZUHLKE ing the Golden Rams a season-opening win in fi ve of their last West Chester (6) Sports Information Director six lid-lift ers. Shippensburg Offi ce: 610-436-2235 Kutztown (1) Athletics Offi ce: 610-436-3555 improve West Chester to 58-37-2 in season openers and 31- Bloomsburg Email: [email protected] 28-1 in season openers on the road. East Stroudsburg improve West Chester’s current win streak over teams repre- Millersville ROB CHRISTE senting the Northeast 10 Conference to six straight games, dating Lock Haven Assistant Sports Information Dir. back to 2011. Offi ce: 610-436-2557 WEST Athletics Offi ce: 610-436-3555 Indiana (Pa.) (7) Email: [email protected] WCU PICKED TO WIN PSAC EAST AGAIN California (Pa.) (1) West Chester University’s football squad was picked to Slippery Rock repeat as the PSAC East champion in a poll of the loop’s head Edinboro LAURENCE MESSLER Gannon Sports Information Grad Asst. coaches released Friday aft ernoon by the Pennsylvania State Ath- Mercyhurst Offi ce: 610-436-2235 letic Conference (PSAC). Clarion Athletics Offi ce: 610-436-3555 West Chester, coming off a 9-4 campaign from a year ago Seton Hill Email: [email protected] that saw them win the Eastern Division title and ad- vance to the second round of the NCAA II Playoff s, WHAT WCU RETURNS FROM 2017 WEST CHESTER QUICK FACTS returns six all-leaguers and a pair of All-Americans Rushing Yards ...... 49% in 2018. Eight of the Golden Rams’ 16 returning Passing Yards ...... 99% HEAD COACH: BILL ZWAAN, SR starters are on defense where West Chester seems to Receiving Yards ...... 43% Scoring ...... 80% Alma Mater: ...... Delaware (1979) be strongest heading into the new year. Career Record: ...... 175-72 (.709) 22nd year Total Offense ...... 99% Record at WCU:: ...... 125-58 (.683) 16th year WCU claimed six of the possible seven fi rst- All-Purpose Yards ...... 44% PSAC Record: ...... 75-19 (.798) place votes aft er appearing in the PSAC Champi- Tackles ...... 66% onship Game last season, before advancing to the Tackles For A Loss ...... 69% ASSISTANT COACHES ...... Location NCAA DII Football Playoff s. It marked the second Sacks ...... 66% Interceptions ...... 56% Bill Zwaan Jr., (Off. Coordinator/WRs) ...... PB time in three years that West Chester won the East. Mike Furlong (Def. Coordinator/LBs) ...... PB Punt Return Yards ...... 93% Gerald Toney (Assoc. HC/Sp.Tms/DBs) ...... SL If the old adage that defense wins champion- Kick Return Yards ...... 28% Osagie Osunde (RBs/Recruiting) ...... SL ships stands true, then West Chester University Field Goals ...... 100% Jim Brazill, Sr. (Defensive Line) ...... SL football fans will enjoy the 2018 fall campaign. Th e Punting ...... 100% Nick Sama (Offensive Line) ...... SL Golden Rams are stacked on that side of the ball Pat Spadaro (Tight Ends) ...... PB with plenty of returning starters and plenty of expe- Joe Walsh (Defensive Line) ...... PB THE WCU-BENTLEY SERIES Justin Curry (Wide Receivers) ...... SL rienced depth. Th is year’s group is fast, physical and West Chester brings an unbeaten 2-0 Sam Scott (Linebackers) ...... SL hungry. mark against Bentley into Thursday’s season opener. The two teams fi rst met two years ago. TEAM HISTORY SCOUTING BENTLEY First Year of Football ...... 1920 Bentley, coming off a 6-4 season that included a All-Time Record ...... 624-291-18 (.678) DATE ...... LOCATION...... RESULT All-Time PSAC Rec. (since 1960): . 120-58 (.674) pair of victories over teams that were ranked nation- 08/31/17....West Chester ...... W, 51-9 All-Time Bowl Record ...... 3-3 ally in Division II, returns two players who were fi rst- 09/03/16....Waltham ...... W, 31-24 All-Time NCAA Tournament Record ...... 10-12 team All-Northeast-10 honorees in 2017, sophomore National Championships: ...... 0 wide receiver Austin Ryan and senior safety Nick Athy, also back is two-time second-team Super Region 1 Championships: ...2 (2004, 2013) All-Northeast-10 corner Pete Th orbahn. PSAC Championships: ...... 18 Years:...... 1950, 1952-54, 1956, Athy led the Falcons in tackles last year with his 76 stops second most among NE10 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1967, 1969, 1971, defensive backs in 2017. He has a nose for the ball as indicated by his three interceptions, 1989*, 1992*, 1994*, 1999*, 2004*, 2007*. four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles a year ago. (* indicates co-champions; no state game) Th orbahn, a starter in every game the last two seasons, enters the year with career to- PSAC East Championships ...... 10 tals that include 22 pass break-ups, seven interceptions and two pick-6’s. He’s one of three Years...... 1989, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2007-08, 2013, 2015, 2017 Falcon returnees who had least 50 tackles last season, joining Athy and senior linebacker Undefeated: .....5 (1923, 1928, 1952, 1957, 1960) Andrew Carmichael. 10+ Wins: ...... 5 (1947, 1967, 2004, 2013, 2014) Freshmen played a major role for the 2017 Falcons on off ense with four earning a spot on the NE10 All-Rookie Team. In addition to Ryan, that quartet included quarterback UNIVERSITY INFORMATION Stephen Sturm and linemen Sean Mitchell and Tim Leonard. Location: ...... West Chester, PA Founded: ...... 1871 Ryan had a standout year with his 16 TD catches the most by any NCAA freshman Enrollment: ...... 17,200 last year, regardless of division, and the most by a Division II freshman in at least a decade. Colors: ...... Purple & Gold He averaged better than 25 yards per catch and totaled 1,242 receiving yards. President: ...... Dr. Christopher Fiorentino Eleven of Ryan’s TD catches were delivered by Sturm, Bentley’s starting QB in the Athletics Director: ...... Terence Beattie season’s fi nal four games. Th e left -handed Sturm set school records for passing completion (.731) and passing effi ciency (189.31) while throwing for 1,375 yards and 12 TDs. 12 NCAA Tournament Appearances 2 Semifi nal Appearances @WCUAthletics Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018
Another player who showed potential as a freshman last fall was Andrew Brazicki. He 2017 TEAM STATS COMPARISON led the team in rushing with 479 yards, six TDs and a 4.8 per-carry average. CATEGORY WCU BEN In addition to Ryan, Bentley returns four others who caught at least 15 passes last year. Points/Game 33.1 30.7 Senior slot receiver Drew Mahoney led the 2017 Falcons in receptions with 51 in seven Points Allowed/Game 22.9 26.4 games before suff ering a season-ending injury. Seniors Michael Correia and Jordan Zlogar 1st Downs/Game 19.7 18.8 had 19 and 18, respectively, and junior Ryan McCarthy followed with 17. 1st Downs Allowed/Game 18.1 21.5 Bentley’s 97-man roster includes 12 seniors, 26 juniors, 27 sophomores and 32 fresh- Rush Yards/Game 188.7 111 Rush Yards Allowed/Game 136.1 196.7 men. Th e players hail from 14 diff erent states, including California and Florida, and the Pass Yards/Game 285.3 274.7 Canadian province of Quebec. Pass Yards Allowed/Game 220.3 207 Total Offense/Game 407 385.7 2018 IN PREVIEW Total Defense/Game 356.4 403.7 West Chester, picked to repeat its PSAC Eastern Division title by the league’s head INT’s thrown/Opp INT’s 17/9 11/6 Turnover Margin -3 +8 coaches, welcomed back 40 letterwinners and 16 starters from a squad that went 9-4 a year Sacks By/Allowed 38/21 18/15 ago and reached the second round of the NCAA II Playoff s. Included in that group are six 3rd Down Off./Def. (%) 44/35 42/41 All-PSAC selections from a year ago and a pair of preseason All-America honorees. Th e Penalties 101 33 Golden Rams’ defense returns eight starters and a plethora of talent splattered among the Field Goals-Att. 9-15 7-12 second and third teams as well. West Chester’s stop unit has been lauded by head coach Bill Zwaan as one of the best defenses in his 16 years at the school. Off ensively, the Golden 2018 PSAC STANDINGS Rams have a stout group up front on the off ensive line, a pair of workhorses in the back- fi eld and some new names on the perimeter that should impress. If A.J. Long turns into the EAST PSAC OVERALL quarterback that the coaching staff envisions, and stays healthy, then the sky is the limit for West Chester 0-0 0-0 West Chester in 2018. Bloomsburg 0-0 0-0 East Stroudsburg 0-0 0-0 Kutztown 0-0 0-0 WELCOMING SHEPHERD IN 2019-20 Lock Haven 0-0 0-0 Th e Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced Th ursday that Shepherd Uni- Millersville 0-0 0-0 versity has been admitted to the Conference for full-time membership, following a vote of Shippensburg 0-0 0-0 approval by the PSAC Board of Directors on May 31. Shepherd will offi cially become a PSAC member upon receipt of initiation fees, enti- WEST PSAC OVERALL California (Pa.) 0-0 0-0 tling the institution to voting privileges, and will begin regular season competition and be Clarion 0-0 0-0 eligible for PSAC Championships in 2019-20. Edinboro 0-0 0-0 Established in 1871, Shepherd University is a public liberal arts college located only 90 Gannon 0-0 0-0 minutes from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore in Shepherdstown, W. Va. Indiana (Pa.) 0-0 0-0 Shepherd has been competing in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) since the Mercyhurst 0-0 0-0 Seton Hill 0-0 0-0 league’s inception in 2013. Th e Rams have a storied football program that has claimed Slippery Rock 0-0 0-0 the MEC Championship and appeared in the NCAA Division II Football Championship fi eld in four of the last fi ve years (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017); including a trip to the national WEEK 1 SCHEDULE championship game in 2015. Additionally, the Rams have captured eight MEC titles in the Thursday, Aug. 30 sports of baseball (4), women’s lacrosse (2), women’s basketball (1), and men’s golf (1). So. Conn. State at Gannon ...... 6 p.m. Indiana (Pa.) at Ashland ...... 7 p.m. Th e Rams will sponsor 13 of the PSAC’s 23 sports, including football, baseball, men’s California (Pa.) at Ohio Dominican ...... 7 p.m. and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, soft ball, volleyball, women’s lacrosse, Pace at Millersville ...... 7:05 p.m. men’s and women’s golf, and men’s and women’s tennis. East Stroudsburg at Ferris St...... 7:30 p.m. Long-known as the NCAA’s largest conference, the PSAC will enter the 2018-19 aca- demic year with 17 members with the departure of Cheyney University on June 30, 2018. Saturday, Sep. 1 Edinboro at Lake Erie College ...... 12 p.m. Th e PSAC sponsors the second-most championship sports in Division II with 23. Kentucky St. at Slippery Rock ...... 1 p.m. Among its recent enhancements, the PSAC expanded its full-time membership twice Kutztown at Assumption ...... 1 p.m. during a fi ve-year span. Th e fi rst occurred during the 2008-09 academic year with the Shippensburg at Clarion ...... 1 p.m. addition of Gannon and Mercyhurst Universities. Th en, in the summer of 2013, Seton Hill Seton Hill at Virginia Union ...... 1 p.m. University and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown joined the league. Lock Haven at Duquesne ...... 2 p.m. Merrimack at Bloomsburg ...... 2 p.m. Mercyhurst at Hillsdale ...... 7 p.m. GRADUATED SENIORS West Chester University has four players, who have earned their bachelor’s degree and have enrolled in graduate school to complete their athletic eligibility. Alex Coren and George Ellis received their degrees elsewhere with Coren graduating from Villanova Uni- versity and Ellis from Shippensburg University, where he starred on the hardwood for the Raiders’ basketball team. Both Ch’aim Smith and Tyler Drob are West Chester University graduates, who have returned for their fi nal year of college football.
12 NCAA Tournament Appearances 2 Semifi nal Appearances @WCUAthletics Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018
No. Player Cl. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School 1 A.J. Long R-Jr. QB 6-1 195 Bethlehem, Pa./Friendship Christian (Tenn.) 2 Lex Rosario Jr. WR 6-1 200 Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley 3 Jalik Smith So. WR 5-10 170 Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp. 4 Trael Seegars R-Fr. RB 5-11 200 Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp. 5 Marcus Wilson R-Fr. FB 6-1 225 Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic 6 Elijah Hall So. WR 6-2 180 Harleysville, Pa./North Penn 7 Jarey Elder Jr. DB 5-11 170 Allentown, Pa./Parkland 8 Ethan Price Jr. WR 6-2 210 Coopersburg, Pa./So. Lehigh (Bloomsburg) 9 Zach Gilbert R-Fr. QB 6-4 215 Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall 10 Paul Dooley Jr. QB 6-1 205 Phila., Pa./Springside-Chestnut Hill 11 Rasheem James So. WR 6-0 180 Philadelphia, Pa./Ben Franklin 12 Mike Alley So. TE 6-4 230 Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury 13 Matt Magdelinskas Jr. DB 5-10 185 Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy 14 Andrew Chegia So. PK 5-8 170 Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville 15 Mike Piperno R-Fr. QB 6-2 200 Washington Twp. N.J./Washington Twp. 16 Nick Skulski R-Fr. QB 5-10 180 Avondale, Pa./Bishop Shanahan 17 Kenny Edelin Fr. WR 6-2 185 Middletown, Del./Middletown 18 Nydair Rouse Sr. DB 6-1 175 Philadelphia, Pa./Simon Gratz 19 Nyeem Jones R-Fr. DB 5-11 190 Philadelphia, Pa./Ben Franklin 20 Jaishan Th ornton Sr. DB 5-7 160 Havertown, Pa./Haverford 21 Shaquille James Sr. DB 5-9 176 Philadelphia, Pa./West Catholic 22 Danny Guy Fr. RB 6-0 205 Chadds Ford, Pa./Garnet Valley 23 Darnell Ferrell R-Fr. WR 5-10 180 Allentown, Pa./Central Catholic 24 Quintin Smith Sr. DB 6-1 195 Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East 25 Mike Class Sr. DB 5-11 185 Souderton, Pa./Pennridge 26 Joe Kennedy R-Fr. DB 5-9 170 Springfi eld, Pa./Springfi eld 27 Julian Trammell Fr. DB 6-0 160 Conshohocken, Pa./P-W 28 Nate Barnes So. LB 6-2 210 Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle 29 Zach DeMarchis Fr. DB 5-10 175 Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury 30 Ja’Den McKenzie Fr. RB 6-1 205 Morton, Pa./Springfi eld 31 Mark Dukes Sr. RB 5-11 195 Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove 32 Sterlen Barr Fr. DB 5-9 165 Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland 33 Jordan Burney So. DB 6-2 205 Philadelphia, Pa./Bishop Egan 34 George Lambritsios So. PK 6-0 230 Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown 35 Dante Manetta Fr. DB 5-11 185 Carlisle, Pa./Trinity 36 Kobey Baldwin So. LB 6-0 190 Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove 37 Kendrick Singleton So. DB 5-11 175 Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Wood 39 Geoff rey Philippe Sr. LB 5-11 230 Philadelphia, Pa./Frankford 40 Isaiah Cruz R-Fr. DB 5-11 170 Abington, Pa./Abington 41 J.T. Aloisio Fr. LB 6-0 225 West Chester, Pa./West Chester Rustin 42 Austin Lemke Fr. LB 5-11 215 Norristown, Pa./LaSalle 43 Fulani Freeman Jr. LB 6-5 210 Philadelphia, Pa./Simon Gratz 44 Nick Chapman Fr. LB 6-0 230 Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham 45 Cole Zapf R-Fr. DB 6-0 195 Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West 46 Brendan Paulison Sr. P 6-0 210 Milford, Pa./Delaware Valley 47 Ch’aim Smith Gr. DE 6-4 255 York, Pa./York Suburban
12 NCAA Tournament Appearances 2 Semifi nal Appearances @WCUAthletics Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018
No Player Cl. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School 48 Mike Wojick R-Fr. TE 6-2 220 Cinnaminson, N.J./Cinnaminson 50 Jackson Taylor Fr. LB 6-1 240 Glenside, Pa./Abington 51 Ryan George R-Fr. DE 6-4 260 Drexel Hill, Pa./Msgr. Bonner-Prendergast 52 Joe DeSanto Jr. DT 6-3 275 Plymouth Meeting, Pa./P-W 53 Michael Gobora Fr. DL 6-2 225 Newtown, Pa./Pennsbury 55 Joe Janick Fr. DL 6-2 235 Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East 56 Tyler Morrissey Sr. LB 6-3 255 Springfi eld, Pa./Springfi eld-DELCO 57 Quinten Cheyney Jr. LB 6-1 240 Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville 58 Dom Carey So. DT 6-3 270 Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge (Marist) 59 Ben Smith Sr. OL 6-0 280 Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan 61 Connor Walsh Sr. OL 6-1 280 Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley 62 Brendan Ruskowski R-Fr. OL 6-3 275 Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan 63 Jacob Colby R-Fr. OL 6-0 275 Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan (Ship) 64 Alex Coren Gr. OL 6-2 280 Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central (VU) 65 Tyler Drob Gr. OL 6-2 295 Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East 67 Terrence Williams Fr. OL 6-2 310 Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti 68 Jack Mummert Jr. OL 6-2 300 Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks South 69 John George R-Fr. K/P 6-5 180 West Chester, Pa./Bishop Shanahan 70 Frank Tranzilli Jr. OL 6-2 290 Lansdale, Pa./North Penn 71 Nika Wright Fr. OL 6-3 280 Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury 72 Jonathan Miller Fr. OL 6-1 290 Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville 73 Jake Duncan Sr. OL 6-4 295 Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East 74 Pat Ferry So. OL 6-3 300 Allentown, Pa./Parkland 75 Brian Ross Jr. OL 6-4 320 Havertown, Pa./Haverford 77 Mark Anastasi Fr. OL 6-2 270 Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North 78 Trevor Watts Fr. OL 6-2 265 Souderton, Pa./Souderton 79 Austin Reusing R-Fr. OL 6-1 290 Hanover, Pa./Southwestern 80 Ethan Harris R-Fr. WR 5-10 180 Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East 81 George Ellis Sr. WR 6-6 210 Philadelphia, Pa./Franklin Learning Center 82 Zach Liggitt Fr. TE 6-4 235 Danielsville, Pa./Northampton 83 Carington Hooks Fr. WR 6-4 180 Havertown, Pa./Haverford 86 Gabe Schappell So. WR 6-3 225 Reading, Pa./Exeter 87 Cody Boozel R-So. TE 6-4 230 Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley 88 Dan Neuhaus So. TE 6-3 230 Downingtown, Pa./Bishop Shanahan 89 John Dee R-Fr. TE 6-3 235 East Windsor, N.J./Highstown 90 Shane Griffi n Jr. DE 6-3 260 Jenkintown, Pa./Abington 91 Nolan Collachi Fr. DL 6-1 265 Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South 92 Omar Peterkin So. DT 6-2 295 Willow Grove, Pa./Archbishop Wood 93 Wyatt Smith R-Fr. DL 6-3 255 Hellam, Pa./Eastern York 94 David Simmons So. DE 6-3 230 Easton, Pa./Easton 95 Diquan Gilbert Sr. DE 6-3 260 Philadelphia, Pa./Comm Tech (VFMA) 96 Mark Webb Sr. DT 6-1 290 Philadelphia, Pa./Edward W. Bok (VFMA) 97 Connor Munnelly Fr. DL 6-2 265 Exton, Pa./Downingtown East 98 Tyrone Barge Jr. DT 6-2 290 Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter (Rhode Island) 99 Shaquille Ryder Sr. DT 6-3 310 Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter
12 NCAA Tournament Appearances 2 Semifi nal Appearances @WCUAthletics Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018 2018 Depth Chart – BENTLEY GAME Offense Defense 6 Elijah Hall* So. 6-2 180 47 Ch’aim Smith*** Gr. 6-4 265 FL 8 Ethan Price Jr. 6-2 210 DE 90 Shane Griffi n** Jr. 6-3 250
87 Cody Boozel* R-So. 6-4 230 92 Omar Peterkin* So. 6-2 295 TE 88 Dan Neuhaus* So. 6-3 230 DT 96 Tyrone Barge Jr. 6-2 290
74 Patrick Ferry* So. 6-3 300 99 Shaquille Ryder** Sr. 6-3 310 LT 75 Brian Ross Jr. 6-4 320 DT 58 Dom Carey So. 6-3 270
65 Tyler Drob*** Gr. 6-2 297 95 Diquan Gilbert* Sr. 6-3 260 LG 59 Ben Smith*** Sr. 6-0 275 DE 94 David Simmons* So. 6-3 230
61 Connor Walsh*** Sr. 6-1 270 56 Tyler Morrissey*** R-Sr. 6-3 256 C 68 Jack Mummert** Sr. 6-2 300 ILB 39 Geoffrey Philippe** Sr. 5-11 230
70 Frank Tranzilli*** Sr. 6-2 290 28 Nate Barnes* So. 6-2 210 RG 62 Brendan Ruskowski R-Fr. 6-3 270 ILB 45 Cole Zapf R-Fr. 6-0 195
73 Jake Duncan*** Sr. 6-4 296 18 Nydair Rouse*** Sr. 6-1 175 RT 64 Alex Coren Gr. 6-2 280 SLB 19 Nyeem Jones R-Fr. 5-11 190
1 A.J. Long* R-Jr. 6-1 195 20 Jaishan Thornton*** Sr. 5-7 160 QB 15 Mike Piperno R-Fr. 6-2 200 CB 24 Quintin Smith** Jr. 6-1 195
25 Mike Class*** Sr. 5-11 185 33 Jordan Burney* So. 6-2 205 RB 31 Mark Dukes*** Sr. 5-11 195 SS 40 Isaiah Cruz R-Fr. 5-11 170
2 Lex Rosario** Jr. 6-1 200 7 Jarey Elder** Jr. 5-11 170 B 23 Darnell Ferrell R-Fr. 5-10 180 FS 13 Matt Magdelinskas** Jr. 5-10 185
11 Rasheem James* So. 6-0 180 21 Shaquille James*** Sr. 5-9 175 SE 3 Jalik Smith So. 5-10 170 CB 32 Sterlen Barr Fr. 5-9 165
Special Teams
14 Andrew Chegia** Jr. 5-8 170 11 Rasheem James* So. 6-0 180 PK 34 George Lambritsios* So. 6-0 230 KOR 31 Mark Dukes*** Sr. 5-11 195
46 Brendan Paulison*** Sr. 6-0 210 7 Jarey Elder** Jr. 5-11 170 P PR
46 Brendan Paulison*** Sr. 6-0 210 90 Shane Griffi n** Jr. 6-3 250 H LS
12 NCAA Tournament Appearances 2 Semifi nal Appearances @WCUAthletics Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018 Head Coach - BILL ZWAAN, SR
Bill Zwaan be- times during Zwaan’s tenure (2004, 2006-09, the Golden Rams’ playoff run ended. gins his 16th season 2013-14). West Chester landed 13 players on the as head coach of In his fi rst 15 years at West Chester Uni- All-PSAC East squad and 10 on the All-ECAC the Golden Rams, versity, Zwaan has mentored eight players who list. Meanwhile, junior LB Tyler Morrissey having put togeth- were fi nalists for player of the year at their re- was lauded as an All-American and fi nalist for er one of the most spective positions. The two most recent were the Cliff Harris Award. Junior Punter, Brendan impressive coach- linebacker Tyler Morrissey and defensive end Paulison, was also a postseason All-America ing resume’s in the Andrew Cohen. The latter was a fi nalist for both selection and fi nished fourth in the country in Pennsylvania State the Gene Upshaw Award and the Cliff Harris punting. Athletic Confer- Award in 2015. He graduated as the PSAC’s Three years ago, Zwaan snared the PSAC ence during that all-time sacks leader with 33.5 to his credit. East title for the fourth time in his tenure at West span. He ranked fourth in the country at Division II Chester, reaching the PSAC Championship Zwaan has won in sacks his senior year. Morrissey, who led the Game for the second time. With a sophomore fi ve PSAC Eastern PSAC in tackles in 2017, was a fi nalist for the quarterback and a young offensive line, the Division titles (2004, 2007, 2008, 2015 and Cliff Harris Award last fall as well. Golden Rams pulled out a division crown un- 2017) while copping Coach of the Year plau- Place-kicker, Shawn Leo, was named a fi - der diffi cult circumstances. The Golden Rams dits four times. He has guided the Golden Rams nalist for the Fred Mitchell Award in both 2010 fi nished 6-1 in league play, before falling to na- to the NCAA II playoffs a school-record eight and 2011, handed out to the national kicker of tionally ranked Slippery Rock in the conference times while authoring the second-most wins in the year, who examplifi es excellence both on the championship game to end the 2015 campaign. school history (125) and steering the institu- fi eld and in their community. In 2013, the Golden Rams won a sin- tion to the national semifi nals twice (2004 and Meanwhile former wide receiver Mike gle-season best 13 contests on their way to 2013). His 16 years of service to the Golden Washington was a fi nalist for the Harlon Hill the national semifi nals. In 2014, West Chester Rams football is the second-longest stint as head Trophy in 2008, handed out to the Division II defeated PSAC rival Slippery Rock in the fi rst coach in school history. Only the legendary W. national player of the year, and former standouts round, before falling to Mountain East Confer- Glenn Killinger coached West Chester football Rondell White and Sean McCartney were each ence champion Concord on the road in the sec- for a longer period of time (23 years). fi nalists for the same award in 2013 and 2014, ond round. In 15 years on West Chester’s sideline, respectively. Additionally, linebacker, Ronell Zwaan’s patented Spread Wing-T offense Zwaan has masterminded a 125-58 (.683) re- Williams was named a fi nalist for the Cliff Har- has averaged better than 400 yards of total of- cord. He sports an overall record of 179-72 ris Award in 2013, and defensive back Al-Hajj fense per game in 13 of his 15 years at WCU (.713) in 21 years. While in the midst of his Shabazz was a fi nalist fo that honor in 2014. and scored at least 50 touchdowns per year in second decade in the head coaching profession, Shabazz, who signed a free agent contract his fi rst six campaigns. The biggest reason for Zwaan stands behind only the venerable Denny with the Indianapolis Colts and spent some time Douds (45 years at East Stroudsburg) in coach- with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, appeared in ing seasons within the PSAC. eight NFL games in 2016 with the Pittsburgh THE ZWAAN FILE Additionally, Zwaan’s 21 years of service Steelers. He moved over to the Baltimore Ra- Years Team Record Postseason as a head coach is seventh across the nation in vens and later the Detroit Lions. 1997 Widener 7-3 Division II in terms of longevity. His .713 career WR Dan DePalma, another product of 1998 Widener 8-3 ECACs winning percentage ranks seventh among active Zwaan’s Spread Wing-T offense, spent three 1999 Widener 6-4 head coaches in DII and 21st all-time among seasons in the NFL on the practice squad for 2000 Widener 12-2 NCAAs coaches who spent at least part of their career at the New York Giants in 2011 and 2012, before 2001 Widener 12-1 NCAAs the Division II level. His 179 career wins ranks moving over to the San Diego Chargers practice 2002 Widener 9-1 NCAAs fi fth nationally among active head coaches at squad in 2013. DePalma also spent some time in 6 years 54-14 (.794) DII and 41st all time. the Canadian Football League over the last three West Chester has never suffered a losing falls. 2003 West Chester 8-3 season in conference play under Zwaan’s tute- Former linebacker Sam Scott has enjoyed 2004 West Chester 11-4 NCAAs lage either, authoring a 83-20 mark against the a lengthy career north of the border in the CFL. 2005 West Chester 8-4 NCAAs rest of the PSAC Eastern Division since 2003. He enters his eighth season in Canada this sum- 2006 West Chester 9-4 NCAAs The 21-year college football mentor col- mer. He previously spent time with the Winni- 2007 West Chester 9-3 NCAAs lected his 100th career win against Lock Haven peg Blue Bombers and the Calgary Stampede as 2008 West Chester 9-4 NCAAs in the 2008 season opener and is one of only a well as the Hamilton Tiger Cats. 2009 West Chester 7-4 handful of college coaches to lead a school to West Chester captured its second PSAC 2010 West Chester 4-7 the NCAA Tournament semifi nals at both the Eastern Division title in the last three years in 2011 West Chester 5-6 Division II and III levels, having guided West 2017, showing a 6-1 mark against league com- 2012 West Chester 7-4 Chester to the Division II semifi nals in both petition. It was enough to land the Golden Rams 2013 West Chester 13-2 NCAAs 2004 and 2013, and Widener University to the in the PSAC Championship Game as well as 2014 West Chester 11-2 NCAAs Division III semifi nals in 2000. He was inducted earning the Purple & Gold a berth in the NCAA 2015 West Chester 7-4 into the Delaware County chapter of the Penn- II Playoffs. A fi rst-round win on the road over 2016 West Chester 8-3 sylvania State Sports Hall of Fame in July 2008. Shippensburg gave West Chester a shot at re- 2017 West Chester 9-4 NCAAs West Chester University has captured the demption over national power Indiana (Pa.), 15 years 125-58 (.683) Team of the Year award handed out by the East- which had beaten the Rams in the PSAC title 21 years 179-72 (.713) ern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) seven game two weeks prior. However, that is where
12 NCAA Tournament Appearances 2 Semifi nal Appearances @WCUAthletics Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018 Head Coach - BILL ZWAAN, SR
Zwaan’s offensive success recently was at- quarterback Michael tributed to Sean McCartney, who graduated in Horrocks, and the af- 2014 second all-time at the school in both pass- fect has been a steady ing yards and touchdowns. He became just the line of well-trained second signal-caller in school history to eclipse leaders on the club, 9,000 yards passing and throw 90 TDs in a ca- who organize and reer. McCartney, a fi nalist for the Harlon Hill support each play- Trophy, was a master at Zwaan’s Spread Wing-T er off the fi eld. The system. In 2014, the Golden Rams set a school leadership program record averaging 500 yards of total offense per focuses on teaching game – marking the fi rst time that WCU ever life skills to its cadets averaged more than 500 yards per game. and showing them Despite having the reputation as a head ways in which they coach that favors throwing the ball, Zwaan’s can help their fellow stable of running backs each fall wind up among teammates improve. the conference leaders in rushing. Former RB Zwaan put to- Rondell White set 21 school records during his gether a 7-4 campaign four-year tenure at West Chester that ended in in 2009. The Golden 2013. The consensus All-America running back Rams managed to win Bill Zwaan has guided his Golden Rams to the NCAA II fi nished 2013 with 1,989 rushing yards, 843 their fi nal three games Playoffs in 8 of his 15 years on West Chester receiving yards and 275 return yards. His 406 of the season, after University’s sideline. carries also broke the NCAA Division II sin- having been knocked gle-season record. White is the only running out of the divisional back in DII history to eclipse 400 rushing at- championship race. It tempts in a single season. White is the Golden marked the fi rst time since Zwaan’s fi rst year Rams once again reached the NCAA II playoffs. Rams’ all-time leading rusher (4,336 yards). He at WCU that the football squad didn’t reach the After guiding the Golden Rams to a 9-4 was named to the American Football Coaches’ NCAAs and the fi rst time it was not nationally mark in 2006, including a fi rst-round victory Association (AFCA) Division II All-America ranked in the American Football Coaches’ Asso- over Bryant in the postseason, West Chester Team, AP Little All-America Football Team ciation (AFCA) postseason poll since 2005. captured its second Lambert Cup in the previous and the All-PSAC Eastern Division First Team Despite the disappointment in not reaching three years as the top team in the East. while being named the ECAC Offensive player the postseason in 2009, West Chester’s defense In 2004, Zwaan was chosen the Pennsylva- of the year and being honored by the Maxwell was the top-ranked unit in the PSAC, highlight- nia State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Football Club and the Philadelphia Sports Writ- ed by a run defense that yielded just over 77 coach of the year as his club posted a school-re- ers’ Association as regional player of the year on yards rushing per contest. The Golden Rams’ cord 11 victories against just four losses. The both occasions. offense was ranked third in the PSAC under the Golden Rams won the PSAC East, captured the Defensively, linebackers Morrissey, Ronell guidance of sixth-year senior QB Joe Wright, Division II Lambert Trophy for the fi rst time Williams and Mike Labor are widely considered who fi nished the year as the loop’s second-rated since 1967 and claimed an NCAA Division II three of the best Zwaan has overseen during his passer. playoff victory for the fi rst time in the history of 15 years at West Chester. Williams was named West Chester fi nished 9-4 in 2008 with the program. a fi nalist for the inaugural Cliff Harris Award as the school’s second consecutive PSAC Eastern Zwaan’s magical run through the NCAA the top small college defensive football player Division title in tow, marking the third straight II playoffs ended with a loss to national power in the country, representing nearly 500 NCAA nine-win campaign and second straight unde- Valdosta State (Ga.) in the semifi nals. It marked Division II, III and NAIA colleges and univer- feated conference slate. As a result, West Ches- the fi rst time that West Chester University won sities. In 2014, Al-Hajj Shabazz was named a ter captured the Division II team of the year the NCAA regional championship and advanced fi nalist for that very same award. The senior de- award in the ECAC for the second straight sea- to the semifi nals in school history. fensive back earned All-America accolades and son. The Golden Rams made it fi ve postseason The former Widener University head foot- was considered among the top defensive backs appearances in a row, topping Southern Con- ball coach and director of athletics took over in DII. necticut State, 52-32, in the fi rst round of the the Golden Rams’ coaching reins in February of Over the past six years, West Chester has NCAA playoffs and setting a school record for 2003. He led West Chester to an 8-3 mark, its authored a 52-16 record and captured two PSAC most points in a playoff game. most wins in a season since 1999. Eastern Division crown. However, the recent West Chester boasted the conference’s sec- In 2002, Zwaan completed his sixth and success of the Golden Rams follows a two-year ond-ranked offense, averaging 428 yards per fi nal year as head coach of perennial NCAA Di- stint of back-to-back losing seasons in 2010 and game and scoring 58 touchdowns. Senior WR vision III powerhouse Widener by leading the 2011. They are the only two sub .500 seasons in Mike Washington was the focal point of that of- Pride to their third consecutive Middle Atlantic Zwaan’s 21-year coaching career. Those experi- fense, earning Division II fi rst team All-Ameri- Conference championship with a 9-1 mark. He ences helped Zwaan re-evaluate what he and his ca accolades and being honored as one of eight stepped down from his post as both head coach coaching staff were doing and how they were fi nalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy handed out and the school’s athletics director to take over at doing it. The results speak for themselves. to the Division II player of the year. West Chester. Since the end of the 2011 campaign, In 2007, West Chester posted an overall re- Zwaan still owns the highest winning per- Zwaan has embraced the athletic department’s cord of 9-3 en route to the PSAC Eastern Divi- centage in school history at Widener University leadership program, named for former WCU sion crown with a perfect 5-0 mark. The Golden with a .794 ledger (54-14). In 2001, he guided
12 NCAA Tournament Appearances 2 Semifi nal Appearances @WCUAthletics Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018 Head Coach - BILL ZWAAN, SR
Widener to its second straight MAC title and a Former football players Dom Dividio, Bill spot in the national quarterfi nals. He produced Pommerer and Jared Bonacquisti were all sin- the fi rst undefeated regular season in 20 years gled out as potential matches in 2011. All un- and reached second in the Division III national derwent the extended testing necessary to deter- polls for fi ve weeks during the campaign. mine if they are, in fact, a match for somebody. In addition to being named the MAC and Of the three, Jared Bonacquisti was a match for Region II coach of the year in 2000, and again a man in Illinois. Bonacquisti had the procedure in 2001, Zwaan was named the Tri-State Region done and the process helped save that person’s coach of the year by the Maxwell Football Club life. and was also honored as the American Football In 2013, one year after going through the Monthly coach of the year. bone marrow transplant process, Bonacquisti Widener won a dozen games in both the met his match – so to speak – and had the op- 2001 (12-1) and 2000 (12-2) seasons and the portunity to meet the person who’s life he saved Pride advanced to the NCAA Division III na- by donating his bone marrow. tional semifi nals in 2000. That year, Widener The fourth WCU student-athlete found to also captured the Division III Lambert Cup and be a potential match was All-America women’s also won the Eastern College Athletic Confer- lacrosse player, Tori Dugan. She went through ence Division III team of the year award. the process before her senior year in 2012 and Zwaan has produced 15 All-Americans was deemed a match as well. and four academic All-Americans. His latest Zwaan was a standout quarterback at the protégé, MLB Ronell Williams was the fi rst University of Delaware during his college play- sophomore All-America selection in Zwaan’s ing days, leading the Blue Hens to the 1974 coaching career. Additionally, WR Mike Wash- NCAA Division II national championship ington caught for more than 4,000 yards during game. He earned his bachelor’s of science de- his college career and set numerous records on gree in Marketing Management in 1979. the national, conference and school levels. His Zwaan resides in Malvern, Pa., with his record of 50 straight games with at least one wife Rosemary. Together, they raised two chil- pass reception is a Division II record and one dren, Bill Jr., and Caroline. Zwaan’s son is a shy of the NCAA record at any level. 2008 graduate of West Chester University and Former Widener University wide receiver former quarterback for the Golden Rams. Michael Coleman became the fi rst Pride drafted by the NFL in 20 years (2002) thanks to Zwaan’s tutelage. Jim Jones, who along with Coleman, helped form the most formidable receiving tan- dem in the country, signed a free agent contract following the draft that same year. Former Widener standout T.J. Hess re- ceived two of the highest honors in the nation as he was named Academic All-America of the Year for the college division (Divisions II, III, NAIA) and was one of 16 recipients of an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship from the Na- tional Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame while playing for Zwaan. Zwaan has been an outspoken advocate for both Autism Speaks and the “Be The Match” national marrow donor program many college football programs across all three divisions around the country have gotten involved with. Each fall, Zwaan and his football players take part in the Autism Walk in Philadelphia that raises money for autism. Since 2007, Zwaan has been involved with the “Be The Match” marrow donor program through the assistance of Villanova head coach Andy Talley. Each spring, Zwaan’s football team holds a bone marrow drive on campus to Head coach Bill Zwaan, and his son Bill Jr., celebrate West Chester’s sign people up and help grow the list of poten- Super Region 1 championship on the fi eld after the game with friends tial donors. That effort has resulted in fi ve West and family at Shepherd University in 2014. The Golden Rams defeated the Chester University students being deemed a Rams, 28-7, to advance to the NCAA II semifi nals. match and helping to save a life.
12 NCAA Tournament Appearances 2 Semifi nal Appearances @WCUAthletics Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018
Game 1 West Chester at Bentley Th ursday, Aug. 30, 2018