RELEASE DATE: 6/24/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield announces additional 15 football recruits

Mansfield, Pennsylvania – Mansfield University head coach Dan Davis announced an additional 15 student-athletes who have committed to playing football for the Mountaineers this season. All 15 students have made their deposit to the university and will enroll for classes beginning in August. 

These 15 will join the initial 32 recruits that were announced earlier in the summer.

“We still have four or five more recruits were working on,” said Davis. “But we’re pretty pleased to have 47 recruits already committed for our first full-season in the CSFL.” The 47 announced recruits come from nine different states including Alaska, Texas and Minnesota.

Mansfield, which has fielded a football program since 1891, discontinued its NCAA Division II program for financial reasons following the conclusion of the 2006 season. Mansfield reestablished football as a probationary member of the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) in 2008.

The CSFL is varsity collegiate football played by the same rules and with the same intensity as all NCAA and NAIA programs with the exception of a 172-pound weight limit for players. The CSFL is comprised of Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, the United States Military Academy at West Point (Army) and the United State Naval Academy at Annapolis (Navy).

Mansfield, which played an abbreviated four-game schedule as a probationary member last season, was elected to full-time status by the CSFL for the upcoming 2009 season.

Mansfield will play a full schedule in 2009 and be eligible for the league championship and post-season player honors. Mansfield will start the season by hosting Princeton University at Karl Van Norman Field on Sept. 19. The Mountaineers will also play Cornell and Navy at home this season and play Army in the Allegiance Bowl in Saratoga Springs, NY on Oct. 17.  

Kevin Baker (Rochester, New York) was a starting center and outside linebacker for New York Section V Champion Gates Chili in 2008.  He is an honor-roll student at Gates Chili as well as an outstanding baseball player.  His high school coach was Jason Benham and he is undecided on his course of study at this time.

Cody Chacon (Wimberley, Texas) was a first team all-district outside linebacker at Wimberley High School in 2008.  He also participated in soccer and track at Wimberley.  Cody’s high school coach was Weldon Nelms and he is currently undecided on his major.

Cody Dulaney (Clearwater, Florida) started at center at Pinellas Park High School.  He was a scholar-athlete and also wrestled for Pinellas Park.  His high school coach was Matt Lance and Cody will be studying criminal justice at Mansfield.

John Evanina (Olyphant, Pennsylvania) played at Mid-Valley High School, graduating in 2006.  Having attended Lackawanna Junior College the past two years, Evanina played fullback and defensive line for Mid-Valley.  Evanina’s high school coach was Harry Powell and he will be studying criminal justice at Mansfield.

David Gordon (Cadyville, New York) played linebacker and running back at Saranac High School in Saranac, New York.  He is also a volunteer firefighter and played baseball in high school.  David is a transfer student and will be studying business administration at Mansfield.  His high school coach was Jeff Way.

Anthony Kellen (Worthington, Minnesota) played defensive line at Worthington High School.  He is also an honor-roll student and will be studying liberal arts at Mansfield.  His high school coach was Dennis Hale.  Anthony has also competed in several ultimate fighting matches this spring and summer.

Robert Matsch (Horseheads, New York) played for Coach Mike McLain at Horseheads High School.  Robert, a fullback at HHS, also participated in wrestling and boxing while in high school.  He is currently undecided on his college major.

Ethan Miller (Charlotte Court House, Virginia) played running back and defensive back at Randolph Henry High School, winning all conference honors in 2008.  He is also a scholar-athlete and will be pursuing communications at Mansfield.  His high school coach was Joe Freeland.

Brazill Mitchell (Folcroft, Pennsylvania) played running back and defensive back at Academy Park High School.  He won the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Delco Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and also participated in track and basketball in high school.  He played for Coach Jason Vosheski at Academy Park and is undecided at this time for his course of study.

Daniel Ruiz IV (Freemansburg, Pennsylvania) played running back and free safety at Freedom High School.  He also participated in track in high school.  His coach was Jason Roeder.  Daniel is undecided on his major at this time.

Brett Rupe (Peckville, Pennsylvania) played wide receiver and defensive back at Valley View High School.  He won the John Stambone Award at Valley View and also participated in track there.  His high school coach was George Howanitz.  Brett is undecided on his course of study.

Josh Small (Hanover, Pennsylvania) is a graduate of Hanover High School.  He played wide receiver and defensive back for Hanover, starting both ways.  Josh also played track and field at Hanover and will be studying criminal justice at Mansfield.  Josh played at Hanover for Coach Jason Potts.

Dalton Stump (Bremen, Ohio) played defensive line and linebacker at Lancaster Fairfield Union High School.  Dalton is a scholar-athlete at this school.  He also was a first-team All-Southeast Ohio defensive lineman in Division III.  His high school coach was Tom McCurdy.  Dalton will be studying nursing at Mansfield.

David Wallace (Coplay, Pennsylvania) played defensive back and running back at Parkland High School.  He will be studying business administration at Mansfield.  David’s high school coach was Jim Morgans.

Jason Winters (Lockport, New York) won the Athletes in Action Call to Courage award for the Greater Buffalo Area in 2008.  The award, which is sponsored by the Buffalo Pro Ministry of Athletes in Action and created by former Buffalo Bills quarterback Frank Reich, was originally given out to a National Football League player who exemplifies outstanding character, commitment, and leadership on and off the field and in the community.  On the field, Jason won all-conference honors in 2008 as a running back and kick-returner.  Jason will be studying criminal justice at Mansfield.  His high school coach was Greg Bronson.