RELEASE DATE: 8/2/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mountaineers Ranked Sixth in PSAC East Coaches Preseason Poll

KUTZTOWN -- The preseason coaches poll was released Wednesday afternoon at the PSAC East Football Media Day held at Kutztown University. Mansfield sits sixth on the preseason poll, a familiar position for the Mountaineers after starting and finishing the 2005 season in sixth place. The poll shakes out with Bloomsburg, last season's PSAC East Champions, on top with West Chester and East Stroudsburg falling in second and third. Millersville and Kutztown round out the top five while Cheyney sits seventh.

Coach Shiffer was on hand at the PSAC East Media Day with All-Star candidate running back Rodney Davis and last season's most improved player, defensive back Jon Mattis. "We're excited that the season is finally kicking off, " said Shiffer. "We have the largest and most talented recruiting class in recent years along with a solid core of returning players."

Shiffer is anxious to begin the 2006 season as he is "looking forward to improving on the preseason ranking." Improvements to the ranking will come with what he feels should be an improved all-around football squad. Mansfield was 1-10 overall in 2005 and 1-5 in the PSAC East.

        Jon Mattis and Rodney Davis

The 2006 Mountaineers will report to campus on August 9th for preseason camp, one month before their first scheduled contest. "We're excited about camp," said Shiffer as he spoke with Jeff Schuler of the Allentown Morning Call. "A lot of our incoming guys have been working hard over the summer and I think we are all ready to play some football."

The Mountaineers kick off the 2006 campaign on Saturday, September 9 at home when Shippensburg travels to Mansfield for the Josh Palmer Pigskin Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00pm at Van Norman Field.