SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT AND THE NFL The Southern Connecticut State University football program has had several student-athletes move on to play in the National Football League at the conclusion of their collegiate careers. Joe Andruzzi enjoyed a 10-year career with the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. Andruzzi was a part of three Super Bowl winning clubs with the Patriots. Most recently, Jacques Cesaire spent eight seasons as a defensive lineman with the San Diego Chargers. In addition, Ike Igbinosun has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys, and Jerome Cunningham spent the 2014 season with the New York Giants organization. Previously, Scott Mersereau played eight seasons with the New York Jets and was a fifth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams. Travis Tucker played tight end for three seasons with the Cleveland Browns, while Nick DeFelice played for two seasons with the New York Jets. Joe Andruzzi Jacques Cesaire Ike Igbinosun SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT AND THE NFL The Owls also have a strong presence in the National Football League coaching ranks. Jeff Stoutland completed his second season as the offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles 2014. That appointment came on the heels of a decorated collegiate coaching career, punctuated by two BCS National Championships on the staff of the University of Alabama. Kevin Gilbride retired after 10 years on the staff of the New York Giants in the fall of 2013. During his time with the Giants, he elevated into the role of offensive coordinator and won two Super Bowl championships. He was also the head coach for the San Diego Chargers during a NFL coaching career that spanned more than 20 years. Chris Palmer was most recently the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. He was also the quarterbacks coach for the Giants during their Super Bowl XLII victory and was Kevin Gilbride also the head coach of the Cleveland Browns during a NFL coaching career of more than two decades. Tim Holt spent the 2012 season as the offensive line coach for the Chicago Bears after three years on the staff of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Steve Bush spent four seasons as wide receivers and offensive quality control coach for the Miami Dolphins. Nick Nicolau was an assistant for 19 seasons with the Saints, Broncos, Raiders, Bills, Colts, Jaguars, and Chargers. Kevin Lempa and Mike Cavanaugh also coached with the San Diego Chargers. Chris Palmer JESS DOW: FATHER OF OWLS’ FOOTBALL Jess Dow A 2013 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame, Jess Dow was the founder of the Southern Connecticut athletic program. He established the Owls’ football program and served as head coach from 1948- 65. He was recognized as one of the nation’s outstanding coaches, with 15 winning seasons and a won-lost-tied record of 108-40-6 (.721). His teams lost only once in a season seven different times and his 1956 squad is still the only unbeaten-untied (9-0-0) team in Owls’ history. After retiring as football coach, Dow continued to serve as director of athletics until 1975. A former Little All-America fullback at West Texas State who played with the Philadelphia Eagles for three seasons, Dow also coached Southern teams in track, basketball, baseball and golf. ALL-TIME ALL-AMERICANS 1956 Lou Pitney (C), NAIA 1958 Bob Splain (OT), NAIA 1959 Al Badger (E), AP, NAIA Walt Stosuy, NAIA 1961 Brian O’Connor, NAIA 1982 Mike Marshall (SS), Kodak Coaches and AP 1983 Kevin Gray (OG), Kodak Coaches 1984 Bill Sixsmith (LB), Kodak Coaches; Gerard Carbonaro (OT), CoSIDA Academic All-America 1986 Rick Atkinson (DB), Kodak Coaches 1991 Ron Lecointe (OT), Kodak Coaches 1992 Steve Lawrence (LB), Kodak Coaches Brandon Toles Damon Richardson 1994 Anthony Idone (DL), Kodak Coaches 1995 Joe Andruzzi (OL), AFCA 1996 Joe Andruzzi (OL), AFCA 2000 Damon Richardson (DB), AFCA 2002 Jacques Cesaire (DL), AFCA 2005 Derrick Lewis (OL), Jim Lukowkiak (WR) - Don Hansen’s Football Gazette 2006 Brandon Toles (RB), www.d2football.com Brenden Lee (OL), Don Hansen’s Football Gazette 2007 Patrick Gildea (OL), AP Jarom Freeman (TB), Don Hansen’s Football Gazette Steve Armstrong (QB), Don Hansen’s Football Gazette 2008 Ed Peters (C), www.d2foot ball.com, Don Hansen’s Foot Joe Andruzzi Jarom Freeman ball Gazette 2011 Rashaad Slowley, (RB) Beyond 2013 Brian Wilcox (LB), College Sports Network, Don John Moscatel (RB), Hansen’s Football Gazette, Carlif Taylor (DL), www.d2proday.com USA College Football Sam-uel Johnson (LB), www.d2proday.com Andre Privott (WR), www.d2proday.com ALL-TIME INDIVIDUAL HONOREES Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division II Honorees 1982 Mike Marshall (SS) - 1997 Rashaan Dumas (RB); 2008 Ed Peters (C) Player of the Year Frank Biancamano (P-K); Martin Manson (DB) 1983 Kevin Gray (OG) Ty Wilson (DL); Jerome Pinckney (LB) Vin Mattaliano (NG) - Mark Rebeiro (DB); John Wiechman (RB) Rookie of the Year Charles Thomas (RB) - 2009 Jarom Freeman (RB) 1984 Vin Mattaliano (NG); Rookie of the Year Martin Manson (DB) Travis Tucker (TE); 1998 Rashaan Dumas (RB); Greg Tuba (OL) Gerard Carbonaro (OT); Brian Bigham (C); Christopher Hazelton (K) Rick Atkinson (DB) Rhondell Sawyer (LB) 2010 William Chaffin (OL) 1985 Bob Wilson (DE); 1999 Rashaan Dumas (RB); Richard Kirkland (DB) Vin Mattaliano (NG); Raheem Duncan (WR); Willie Epps (WR) Rick Atkinson (DB) Damon Richardson (DB); John Wiechman (RB) 1986 Rick Atkinson (DB); Dion Shabazz (LB) 2011 Rashaad Slowley (RB) Bill Clancy (RB) 2000 Damon Richardson (DB) Ike Igbinosun (DL) 1988 Eric Peck (OT) 2004 Sarth Benoit (LB); Michael Escobar (DB) 1995 Joe Andruzzi (OL) Giancarlo Gallo (OT); Christopher Hazelton (K) 1996 Joe Andruzzi (OL); Sir Snowden (DB) 2013 Brian Wilcox (LB) Brandon Wrinn (OL); 2007 Steve Armstrong (QB) - Tom Madigan (OL); Player of the Year; Chris Ortiz (WR); Jarom Freeman (RB) J.R. Ferguson (LB) Patrick Gildea (OL) Rashaan Dumas (RB) - Martin Manson (DB) Rookie of the Year Ed Peters (C) Rashaan Dumas Steve Armstrong Ike Igbinosun ALL-TIME INDIVIDUAL HONOREES ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-NEW ENGLAND (All Divisions) 1982 Mike Marshall (Safety), 1st team 1984 Vin Mattaliano (Nose Guard), 2nd team; Travis Tucker (Tight End) 3rd team; Gerard Carbonaro (Offensive Tackle), 2nd team 1986 Rick Atkinson (Cornerback), 1st team 1992 Steve Lawrence (Linebacker), 1st team ALL-NEW ENGLAND DIVISION II 1983 Jim Sirignano (QB), Kerry Taylor (RB); Kevin Gray (OG); Mike Columbo (OG); Vin Mattaliano (NG); Jeff Stoutland (LB); Chuck Goodwin (CB) Player of the Year - Kerry Taylor Rookie of the Year - Vin Mattaliano 1984 Travis Tucker (TE); Gerard Carbonaro (OT); Mike West (RB); Dale Goodknight (PK); Bob Wilson (DE); Melvin Wells (DT); Vin Mattaliano (NG); Bill Sixsmith (LB); Rick Atkinson (CB); Paul Sirignano (P) 1985 Mark Carlson (OT); Vin Mattaliano (NG); Bob Wilson (DE); Rick Atkinson (CB) 1986 Tom Godek (OT); Anthony Corvino (OG); Bill Clancy (FB); Glenn Kimbrough (HB); Darren DiFlorio (PK); Dave Johnson (DE); Scott Mersereau (DE); Matt McLees (LB); Rick Atkinson (CB); Pat Morrison (S) Jim Lukowiak Offensive Co-Player of the Year - Bill Clancy Defensive Player of the Year - Rick Atkinson Rookie of the Year - Darren DiFlorio 1994 Anthony Idone (DL); Marcel Dumas (DB); 1987 Tom Godek (OT); Glenn Kimbrough (HB); Joe Andruzzi (OT) Bob Gibson (LB); John Powderly (CB). 1995 Joe Andruzzi (OT); J.R. Ferguson (LB) 1988 Darren DiFlorio (PK); Chris Smith (P); 1996 Joe Andruzzi (G); J.R. Ferguson (LB); Eric Peck (OT); Reggie Plair (S) Rashaan Dumas (TB); Brandon Wrinn (C); 1989 Darren DiFlorio (PK); Chris Smith (P) Chris Ortiz (WR); Frank Biancamano (P) 1990 Steve Lawrence (LB); Ron Lecointe (OT); 1999 Damon Richardson (DB) Dan Parady (TE); Tony Pompile (CB) 2000 Damon Richardson (DB) 1991 Joe Stochmal (QB); Dan Parady (TE); 2005 Jim Lukowiak (WR); Shawn Harris (RB); Adrian Webber (WR); Ron Lecointe (OL); Walter Gibbs (C); Rashad Howard (DL) Paul Boulanger (PK); Steve Lawrence (LB); Jim Lukowiak - Division II/III Gold Helmet Award Tony Pompile (DB) 2006 Brandon Toles (RB) Offensive Player of the Year - Joe Stochmal 2007 Steve Armstrong (QB) - Division II/III Gold Helmet 1992 Adrian Webber (WR); Kurt Johnson (OL); Award; Jarom Freeman (RB) Greg Knee (OL); Olaf Gamlen (DL); 2008 Ed Peters (C); Jerome Pinckney (LB) Tom Breuel (DL); Steve Lawrence (LB); 2009 Greg Tuba (OL) Tony Pompile (DB); Bill Iannone (OL) 2010 Daniel Allen (DL) Defensive Player of the Year - Steve Lawrence 2011 Rashaad Slowley (RB) ALL-TIME INDIVIDUAL HONOREES ALL-NORTHEAST-10 (1997-PRESENT) 2007 Steve Armstrong (QB), Jarom Freeman (TB), 1997 Rashaan Dumas (RB), Rhondell Sawyer (LB), Pat Gildea (OL), Ed Peters (OL), Frank Biancamano (K/P), Clinton Rock (RS), Martin Manson (DB), Craig Toulouse (FB), Matt Hitchcock (TE), Brian Bigham (C), Chris Bergeski (WR), Robert Felder (TE), Aaron Virgo (DT) Carlos Agosto (OG), Eric Holter (DL), 1998 Rashaan Dumas (RB), Matt Hitchcock (TE), Desmond Lymon (DE), Tyrell Escoffrey (LB) Ray Criscuolo (OT), Rhondell Sawyer (LB), 2008 Tom Cerny (TE), Jaliem Cuttino (DL), Mark Rebeiro (DB), Raheem Duncan (WR), James Economou (OL), Martin Manson (DB), Brian Bigham (C), Aaron Virgo (DT), Ed Peters (C), Jerome Pinckney (LB), Todd Ferguson (LB), Damon Richardson (DB) John Wiechman (RB), Carlos Agosto (OL), 1999 Rashaan Dumas (RB), Dion Shabazz (LB), Jarom Freeman (RB), Eric Holter (DL), Damon Richardson (DB), Rob Eggerling (P), Ty Marshall (WR), Chris Roberts (QB) Raheem Duncan (WR), Mark Rebeiro (DB)