2007 Football Media Guide
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2007 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE has walked the line of college football for more than 45 years. His steely eyes have witnessed four four national championships, two two Super Bowls and now the growth of Florida Atlantic football. Mark Myers CFL Lawrence Gordon CFL Chris Laskowski NFL Europe Quentin Swain NFL Europe The Owls took to the field Aug. 29, 2000, with 164 players in attendance for the program's first practice. Players and coaches rushed the field following the overtime victory, 35-28, over a perennial bowl contender, Hawaii, Sept. 4, 2004. Thunderstorms loomed Sept. 22, 2005, when FAU hosted its first-ever Sun Belt Conference game. Possible New Innovation Village FAU is reviewing the concept of developing an “innovation village” on its Boca Raton campus that would include an on-campus, open-air stadium. The village would also include residence halls, retail stores, a hotel and restaurants. This will be a rallying point for all students, fans and alumni. Jarrid Smith Cergile Sincere n Village FAU DANCE TEAM In 2001, the team was ranked no. 10 nationally. In 2005, the team placed second in the nation in Open Dance at the National Dance Association competition in Daytona Beach, FL. FAU FAU CHEER MARCHING TEAM BAND The squad boasts Florida Atlantic's marching band a 1999 Pairs National took the field in 2001, with the Championship. FAU inaugural football team. For finished second at the 2006, the band boasted a new NCAA 2001 and 2003 look and a new energy. competitions. FAU OWLS Florida Atlantic University's Boca Raton campus was designated a burrowing owl sanctuary in 1971 by the Audubon Society. The bird found a safe home away from predators on the campus, which was once a U.S. Army Airfield during World War II. The feisty bird, traditionally associated with wisdom and determination, serves as the University's mascot. Lockhart Stadium 2003 Semifinal game kickoff Lockhart Stadium, which seats just more than 20,000, became Florida Atlantic University's home field in 2003, and what a home season it was. The year began with Valdosta State and ended when the Owls hosted the NCAA Division I-AA National Semifinal Game before an ESPN audience. Directions to the stadium: Take I-95 to Commercial Blvd. Go less than a mile, turn right on NW 12th Ave. (Oriole Blvd.). Stadium is on the left. The Shula Bowl FAU vs. FIU, NOV. 24, 2006 Dolphin Stadium The “Shula Bowl”, named for legendary coach Don Shula, is the annual game between South Florida and Sun Belt Conference rivals Florida Atlantic and Florida International. The site of the Shula Bowl alternates between Dolphin Stadium and FIU Stadium (This year, the game will be played at the Orange Bowl as FIU Stadium is undergoing renovation). While Don Shula’s name is synonymous with professional football in South Florida, he also has an impact on these two collegiate programs. FAU Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger served as Shula’s offensive coordinator with the Dolphins for two Super Bowl appearances and during the only perfect season in NFL history. Former Florida International Head Coach Don Strock was a Miami Dolphin quarterback under Shula. The Owls lead the all-time series, 4-1. Florida Atlantic is the only program that will play in Dolphin Stadium, the Orange Bowl and “The Swamp” this season. CEREMONIAL The “Ceremonial Settee,” SETTEE which is sponsored by the Florida Atlantic University Student Alumni Association and Hooters, has become a fixture at FAU home football games. During each home game, three lucky student fans, who demonstrate undying, unquenchable and unadulterated Owl football energy get an incredible seat upgrade from their bleacher seats down to the field on the “Ceremonial Settee.” They receive food, t-shirts and a fantastic view of the football game. FAUFAU RadioRadio NetworkNetwork The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Radio Network will carry every football game during the 2007 season. WMEN 640 AM will begin its second season as the flagship station of FAU Athletics. WMEN 640 AM is located in Fort Lauderdale, and is a member of the James Crystal Group. Affiliate station, WPSL 1590 AM, will also once again be airing the FAU football broadcasts. Dave LaMont serves as the play- Dave Lamont Steve Walsh Fred O’Connor by-play announcer and will be joined PROFILE in the radio booth by Fred O’Connor. LaMont has called FAU Howard Schnellenberger” is on both the NFL and collegiate games since the program’s broadcast live on WMEN 640 AM. levels. inception in 2001. He holds Fans are encouraged to call in or affiliationsYER with Clear Channel e-mail questions to the coach. All games can be heard from Miami, Sun Sports TV, Westwood Each week, Dave and Coach north Miami-Dade County to the One, ESPN and ABC Sports. Schnellenberger will break down Treasure Coast on WMEN 640 AM the previous week’s action and and from the Treasure Coast LaMonPLA t will also be hosting preview upcoming opponents for through Port St. Lucie on WPSL “The FAU Sports Page Coaches 1590 AM. Show featuring Coach Howard the Owls. Schnellenberger.” Every Monday O’Connor was a coach at FAU All football broadcasts can also President Frank T. Brogan provided evening during the football from the program’s inception be heard at www.fausports.com. color commentary during the game season, “The FAU Sports Page until 2005. Overall, O’Connor has against Northern Colorado. Coaches Show featuring Coach 30-plus years as a football coach TABLE OF CONTENTS Quick Facts Important Dates/Quick Facts . 1 GENERAL INFORMATION Media Information . 2-4 School Name . Florida Atlantic University Location . Boca Raton, FL Coaches’ Bios and Football Staff . 5-23 Founded . 1961 E nrollment . 26,000 Founders. 24 Nickname. Owls Rosters . 26-29 Colors . Blue and Red Home Stadium . Lockhart Stadium Pronunciation Guide . 30 . Dolphin Stadium Capacity . 20,500 (LS) Depth Chart. 31 . 70,000 (DS) Player’s Bios . 32-92 Surface. Natural Grass First Year of Football . 2001 Opponents. 105 National Affiliation . NCAA I-A Basic Offense . Pro Set Composite Schedule . 106 Basic Defense . 4-3 2006 In Review . 108-119 Conference . Sun Belt President . Frank T. Brogan (FAU ’81) 2006 Statistics . 120-129 Athletic Director. Craig Angelos (BYU ’87) History . 132-168 Department Phone . 561-297-3710 MEDIA INFORMATION University Information . 169-198 SID. Katrina McCormack Office Phone . 561.297.3163 Cell Phone . 561.251.5588 FAU FUTURE FOOTBALL SCHEDULES E-mail . [email protected] Fax Number . 561.297.3963 Web Site . fausports.com 2008 2009 2010 2011 Press Box Phone. 561.251.5588 @Michigan State @Nebraska Michigan State @Florida Mailing Address . 777 Glades Rd. @Minnesota Louisiana-Monroe @USF @Michigan State Tom Oxley Center @Louisiana-Monroe @Troy @Louisiana-Monroe Boca Raton, FL 33431 Troy Western Kentucky Troy 2013 Overnight Address . Same Western Kentucky @Lafayette @Western Kentucky @USF COACHING STAFF Louisiana-Lafayette Middle Tennessee Louisiana-Lafayette Head Coach . Howard Schnellenberger Alma Mater . Kentucky ’56 @Middle Tennessee @North Texas Middle Tennessee 2006 Record . 5-7 North Texas Arkansas State North Texas 2006 Conference Record . 4-3 Arkansas State @Florida @Arkansas State Record at FAU . 33-37 Florida International International Florida International Years as a Collegiate Head Coach . 22 Overall Record . 133-114-3 Bowl Record . 4-0 Office Phone . 561.297.1042 ASSISTANT COACHES Assistant Head Coach/LB . Kurt VanValkenburgh Offensive Coordinator . Gary Nord Defensive Coordinator . Kirk Hoza Tight Ends . Joe Corozza Receivers . Darryl Jackson Defensive Tackles . Eli Rasheed IMPORTANT DATES Running Backs . David Serna July 23-24 . .Sun Belt Press Conference Defensive Ends . Johnny Frost Offensive Line . Dale Williams July 29-30 . .200 . .State Writers’ Meeting7 Graduate Assistants . Peter Moore Aug 8 . .Players Report . Nick Seta Aug 9 . .All-Players One Practice SUPPORT STAFF A thletic Trainer . John Burnside Aug 14 . .First Day Full Pads One Practice Equipment . Mike Short Aug 15 . .First Three-A-Day Operations . Sean Todd Tickets . Shelley Binegar Aug 18 . .Fanfest Video . Steve Cutcher Aug 22 . .Last Three-A-Day TEAM INFORMATION Aug 25 . .Classes Begin LETTERWINNERS RETURNING Offense. 21 Sep. 1 . .First GameMiddle Tennessee Defense . 28 Specialty . 2 Total. 51 LETTERWINNERS LOST CREDITS Offense . 4 1 Defense . 4 This media guide is a collaborative effort. Written by Katrina McCormack, Assistant AD for Media Relations, Specialty . 1 assisted by Dawn Elston, Mike Boseak, Alan Barr and Justin Johnson. Graphic Design by Laurie Donahue, FAU Creative Services Department. Photography by Mardie Banks, Bill Plate and Paul Maserjian, FAU’s STARTERS RETURNING Photography Department. Photos also by Gil Hofmann, J.C. Ridley, Paul Chapman, Bill Ryan, Peter Lorber, Offense . 9 Barbara McCormick, Todd Drexler, Jim Wilson, Gus Botta, Robin Sherman and Ralph Notaro. Printing by Defense . 10 Tennant Printing. Specialty . 2 CREDENTIALS INTERVIEWS FILING REPORTS M edia credentials are issued to members of For interviews with Coach Schnellenberger, (PRINT MEDIA) the working media only. Working space in members of the staff and players during All members of the print media will have the press box is assigned on a first-come, the season, contact the Athletic Media access to a phone line in the press box to first-served basis, with the circulation size Relations Office. Requested players will be file reports after the game and in the media MEDIA taken into consideration. Please call in made available following prior approval by room prior to or post practice. advance to allow phone lines to be the coaches. Each Tuesday practice will COACHES assigned. There is no charge for parking begin a new week; players pre-requested PHONE INTERVIEWS PLAYERS with a parking pass. Requests for will be available at 2:00 p.m. Coach Contact the Athletic Media Relations Office OPPONENTS credentials and parking passes should be Schnellenberger will host a weekly press made in writing to: conference at 2:00 p.m.