RELEASE DATE: 11/21/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DAN HOLLAND ONE OF EIGHT FINALISTS FOR HARLON HILL TROPHY – AWARD FOR TOP PLAYER IN NCAA DIVISION II

MANSFIELD – Over the course of his four year career, Dan Holland (Scranton/Bishop O’Hara) has won almost every award available in college football except one – the Harlon Hill Award for the best football player in NCAA Division II.

Holland took a big step toward becoming just the second defensive player to ever win the Harlon Hill when he was named one of the eight finalists for the 2003 Harlon Hill award. The eight finalists were released today by the Harlon Hill Committee in Florence, AL.

“The Harlon Hill is supposed to represent the best player in NCAA Division II football,” said head coach Chris Woods. “I can’t believe there is a better choice than Dan Holland. He is the complete package – great player, great student and an outstanding person. There are more than 12,000 football players in Division II, but in my opinion -- and of coaches who have seen him play -- Dan Holland is the very best.”

Holland, just the second Mountaineer nominated for the award, was the top vote getter in the NCAA Division II East Region and advances to the national ballot along with the top two vote getters from the four regions that represent every area of the country.

The PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, Holland is also a rare four-time All-PSAC East selection. This season, Holland led the PSAC in tackles (136) and solo tackles (81). He was the third in the nation in solo tackles and sixth in total tackles.

The 2002 NCAA Division II Linebacker of the Year, Holland was a consensus All-American that year after leading the nation in tackles and solo tackles. His 501 career tackles in the most in PSAC history as is his 314 solo tackles.

Earlier this month, Holland was named to the Verizon District II Academic All-America First Team honors.

Holland shares the final ballot with five quarterbacks, a running back and defensive back. Voting will take place among the 155 NCAA Division II sports information directors.

North Alabama linebacker Ronald McKinnon became the first defensive player to win the award when he claimed the Hill Trophy in 1995. McKinnon has started at middle linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals for the past eight seasons.

National voting will conclude on December 2 and the top three finishers will be invited to the Shoals for the presentation banquet. The winner of the 2003 award, which is presented by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee, will be announced at the Harlon Hill Trophy and Division II Football Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, December 12 in Florence, prior to the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game on Dec. 13.

2003 HARLON HILL TROPHY FINALISTS

Finalist                            Cl.               Pos.          School                               Hometown

Dan Holland                SR                LB         Mansfield                       Scranton, PA

Drew Beard                  JR                 QB           SE Oklahoma State       Rush Springs, Oklahoma

Ricardo Colclough       SR                DB          Tusculum                         Sumter, SC

Will Hall                         SR                QB            North Alabama                Amory, Mississippi

Keith Heckendorf         SR                QB           St. Cloud State             Mosinee, Wisconsin

Justin Kammrad           SR                TB            Nebraska-Omaha           Council Bluffs, Iowa

Mark Radlinski              JR                 QB        Saginaw Valley State    Caledonia, Michigan

Cliff Watkins                  SR                QB          Tarelton State                 Breckenridge, TX

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