Feb. 19, 2008

Staten Island, NY - There was plenty of emotion at the Island Chateau in Grasmere on Sunday as the 2008 Wagner College Football team, which compiled a 7-4 record, was honored at the 33rd Annual Touchdown Club Awards Banquet.

What made the ceremony particularly poignant was saying goodbye to a group of 13 seniors, several of whom will be long remembered as among the best in Seahawk football history. Headlining the departing cast was All-American kicker/punter Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ), RB Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY), the NEC Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-NEC DB/Return specialist Al Phillips (Miami, FL).

The remaining 10 seniors who were honored for their outstanding commitment to Wagner football included Bryan Brand (Placerville, CA) Kory Gedin (Washington, DC), Joseph Kinard (Kingston, NY), Thomas Larsen (Brooklyn, NY), Ryan Lindsley (Sparta, NJ), Tyler Linehan (Plainville, NY), Brandon Nolen (Sayreville, NJ), Jamie Romano (Syracuse, NY), Jowan Thornton (Syracuse, NY) and Mario Witter (Montclair, NJ).

"This senior class is a pretty select group," said Wagner head football coach Walt Hameline. "I don't know if we've ever had so many in a senior class who were so talented."

The individual award winners for the 2008 season are listed below:

Outstanding Freshman Award
Joe Feriozzi (Margate, NJ)
Outstanding Freshman Award
Stefen Gage (Syracuse, NY)
Scout Team Player of the Year Offense
Jeremy Martinez (Brookhaven, NY)
Scout Team Player of the Year Defense
Dallas Dowling (Richmond, VA)
Scout Team Player of the Year Special Teams
Ryan Pentz (Sykesville, MD)
Most Improved Offense
Kyle Trueblood (Edison, NJ)
Most Improved Defense
Robert Brown (Rome, NY)
MVP Star Award Offense
Matthew Martin (Pennsauken, NJ)
MVP Star Award Defense
Bryan Brand (Placerville, CA)
MVP Star Award Special Teams
Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ)
Johnny K Award
Thomas Larsen (Brooklyn, NY)
Werner Johnson "Leadership" Award
Jeremy Spinks (Tampa, FL)
"Big Stick" Award
Rich Parker (Corona, NY)
Dr. Michael Rapp "Iron Horse" Award
Al Phillips (Miami, FL)
Dr. Michael Mazzie Award
Tyler Linehan
Iron Seahawk Award
Rodney Davis (Bristol, PA)
Bill "Doc" Willets Award
Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY)