16 The Hawk April 2009 Hawk Sports Sessoms and Fahey Go To Arizona Cardinals By The Ocho ESPN senior football analyst John Clayton has just This trade in particular has similarities to a much aware of. Maybe the coaching staff expects a high-caliber released a report that St. John’s has sent two of their top scrutinized trade made by the New England Patriots a few player to be still left on the draft board when they make prospects for this fall’s football team, junior running back weeks ago. This trade sent much-improved quarterback their selection in the second round. Rumor has it that the George Sessoms and junior tight end James Fahey to the Matt Cassel and Patriot main-stay and fan-favorite Mike Prep will be looking to draft defensive end Daniel “Rudy” Arizona Cardinals for their second round draft pick and Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round pick. Reuttiger from Notre Dame. former Prep star quarterback Brian St. Pierre. The Prep People were in outrage over the deal, curious as to why the Nonetheless, the Cardinals are ecstatic to get two young community was stunned by this development, but Fahey Patriots accepted such a seemingly one-sided trade. Was it players of the caliber of Sessoms and Fahey. and Sessoms were both accepting of their fate and excited Belichick throwing former Patriot VP of player personnel Coach Whisenhunt had this to say: “We’re very excited about their new destinations. and new Chief general manager Scott Pioli a bone as he about acquiring these guys. Sessoms is a very talented Fahey stated, “I’m excited to be joining my new teammates started of with a new franchise? Was it simply a cap space running back who has proven to have a nose for the end out in Arizona and excited for the new opportunities that I saving move so the Patriots would have the space to make zone. Fahey was a strong two-way player for the Prep, will have out there. I’m going to miss the friendships that a splash in free agency and pick up a player like Julius and were hoping he brings some of his versatility to our I’ve developed with the guys on the Prep team, but this is Peppers? The theories will be tossed around, but no one will squad.” a business, and I’ve got to accept whatever happens to me really know what the reasoning behind the trades was. After making a Super Bowl appearance this past year, a when playing football.” Now that brings us back to the trade that the Prep just loss to the Steelers, the Cardinals are looking to improve Sessoms had similar sentiments, “Yeah, I’m going to miss made. Why would Coach O’Leary approve of this trade, last year’s squad in order to make another run at a Super these guys, but at the same time I’m excited to be joining when the players, Sessoms and Fahey, were paramount Bowl title. Fahey and Sessoms are only looking to make the guys out in Arizona. I’m going to be playing with a to the success the team had this past year, and seem to be their new team better. Fahey asserted, “Yea, we’re not going great quarterback in Kurt Warner, with the best receiver the leaders of this year’s team? While Coach O’Leary to go in their and mess up the chemistry they already have tandem in the league, Fitzgerald and Boldin, and I’m hoping wasn’t able to be reached for comment, one can still only developed. We’re going there looking to improve an already to learn a lot playing with Edge (Cardinals running back speculate as to why this trade went down. Maybe there immensely talented team.” Edgerrin James).” were some chemistry issues that the public wasn’t made Dankert To Leave Prep, Drafted by Bears By Rick Lavender “I am just so excited to be able to go back to Chicago and play for a franchise that I grew up adoring,” exclaimed Prep physics teacher and Chicago native Peter Dankert. As some members of the Prep community may already know, the Chicago Bears re- cently drafted Mr. Dankert, a.k.a. Dank Tank, as a rush end. Dankert cites this as his life’s dream and bids all at St. John’s a fond farewell. Few people at St. John’s know of Mr. Dankert’s football accomplishments, but this humble physics teacher certainly has a fabled background as a College of the Holy Cross Crusader. He played nose guard, a position on the defensive line, at Holy Cross from 1988-1992. During that time, he led Holy Cross to an undefeated season in his senior year (1991). Also in 1991, Dankert set the school record for most sacks in a single season (16), and GTE named him an Academic All-American, a title awarded to exceptional athletes who also maintain ex- ceptional grades. Dankert has tried to break into the NFL for the past several years, but a great per- formance at the NFL Combine, the pre- draft workouts of the NFL, was fi nally in the cards this year for the aspiring player. Although Dankert was older than many of the other athletes at the draft, which gener- ally hosts prospects fresh out of college, he still managed to not only hold his own, but exceed beyond all expectations: he topped the NFL.com chart of best performances in nearly every drill. While Dankert remained unconvinced after the combine that his chance to fulfi ll his life’s dream was fi nally here, his doubts turned into pride and ecstasy when he was drafted to his hometown team. Dankert hopes he will continue to excel in football and that his “thirty-nine year old body can withstand the physical abuse of the NFL.” “Dankert was always one of the best Mr. Dankert displays his new jersey with pride after signing with the Chicago Bears. He requested that his number from Holy Cross on the team,” reminisces Dankert’s Holy carry onto his Chicago jersey. Cross coach, Mark Duffner. “While I knew he had a brain, too, it was a huge waste of teacher, Mr. Gary Smith. ing community, where teachers, coaches, Dankert admits that he will miss educat- Mr. Ford has not decided whether or not he athletic potential when he decided to pur- and students all share a common bond and will take up the offer. sue an education degree instead of foot- ing “young eagles” and his coaching po- purpose. However, he affi rms that both the sition on the football team: “While I have The Chicago Bears’ gain is St. John’s ball.” Recent reports reveal that Coach physics department and football coaching loss; as Mr. Dankert leaves to play for his Duffner is now overjoyed. been trying to play football for years, I’ve staff consist of very capable people ready really grown to love the Prep, and part of hometown team, we say goodbye to a val- “He was a great addition to the phys- to cover his absence. The physics depart- ued teacher, coach, and mentor. ics department, but he’s wanted to play me is certainly sad that I have to leave.” ment has looked into recruiting Mr. Ford pro football ever since I’ve known him,” Dankert states that the thing he will miss from the chemistry department as a pos- comments science head and fellow physics most being away from the Prep is the amaz- sible replacement for Mr. Dankert, though .