http://www.d3sports.com RSS Feed for www.d3sports.com en-us D3sports.com RSS Software 1.1 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:30:01 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/06/29/6713/stevenson-adds-d-iii-football.html Stevenson has announced that it is adding football to its roster of 19 NCAA Division III varsity sports. The school will recruit 40 to 50 student athletes for a developmental season to start in fall 2010 and kick off intercollegiate play in fall 2011.

The Capital Athletic Conference, which currently does not sponsor football, would have four schools with the sport in the fall of 2011, with Stevenson joining Frostburg State, Salisbury and Wesley. Gallaudet, which also sponsors football, plays the sport in the ECFC (formerly the NAC) and will have left the CAC by then for its other sports. If no schools drop the sport or leave Division III, that would raise the number of Division III football programs to an all-time high of 241 that season.

A conference must have seven teams to qualify for an automatic bid. Four of them must be core members, or members in all sports.

The school's board of trustees recently approved the concept of starting a football program at its spring 2009 meeting. Now a logistics committee is moving forward with the development of the program and hiring a new coach this fall. It is the second Division III school to announce that it is adding the sport in 2011, joining Pacific, which recently started its coaching search.

"Football is a great fit for Stevenson and reflects our commitment to Division III sports and educating student athletes," said Paul Cantabene, associate athletic director in charge of men's sports. "Current students, alumni and prospective students have all expressed a strong desire in having football here."

Stevenson has witnessed tremendous growth over the past decade, building a new campus in Owings Mills, Md., and increasing its undergraduate population to nearly 2,700 students. The school intends to grow that number to 4,000 and expects that the excitement and interest that football creates will be key to attracting a greater number of students, especially male students.

"Football is such a popular sport and we really believe it is something that will add vitality to our campus," said athletic director Brett Adams.

"Football will complement our existing athletic programs well and expenses will Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:33:58 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/06/29/6713/stevenson-adds-d-iii-football.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/05/25/6670/degrand-mows--em-down.html A football mentality served Matt DeGrand well on Sunday night when he took the mound for Wooster in the Scots' winner's bracket final game against St. Thomas at the Division III baseball championships in Grand Chute, Wis.

Wooster and St. Thomas entered the game each having won their first two contests at the double-elimination tournament outside Appleton, Wis. The winner would be guaranteed to play in the national championship game.

DeGrand, who also starts at linebacker for the Scots and led the North Coast Athletic Conference with 113 tackles, hadn't gotten a start in nearly a month and hadn't gone six innings in a game in six weeks.

But he delivered the performance of a lifetime in holding St. Thomas scoreless through seven innings, allowing just three hits and walking nobody. Wooster won, 3-0.

Pat Coleman talked to DeGrand after the game about how football prepared him for his big-game success for a D3baseball.com Feature story. Mon, 25 May 2009 11:28:56 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/05/25/6670/degrand-mows--em-down.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/12/12/6202/semifinal-showdowns.html Kmic becomes NCAA's all-time leading rusher
We're headed for a Stagg Bowl featuring UW-Whitewater and Mount Union for the fourth year in a row.

Mount Union punched its 12th ticket to Salem with a 45-24 semifinal victory against Wheaton (photo gallery). Defending champion UW-Whitewater, which finished second to the Purple Raiders in 2005 and 2006, defeated Mary Hardin-Baylor in the semifinals for the second year in a row, winning 39-13 in Belton, Texas.

Nate Kmic became the NCAA's all-time leading rusher in his final home game, carrying 29 times for 310 yards and three touchdowns to spark the Purple Raiders. Kmic's career rushing total of 7,986 yards surpasses the mark Danny Woodhead of Division II Chadron State set last season at 7,962 yards.

Vince Petruziello added nine receptions for 133 yards as Mount Union outgained Wheaton 657-346, including a 432-90 edge in rushing yards. Clantz Liggett had six tackles and a pair of sacks for the Purple Raiders defense.

UW-Whitewater outscored UMHB 27-3 in the second half, and got 106 rushing yards from Antwan Anderson to earn the right to defend their title. Quarterback Jeff Donovan completed 16 passes to eight receivers, with three touchdowns, and the defense held the Crusaders to 236 total yards.

Playoff toolbox: Bracket | Pick 'em | See Salem in style! | Playoff photos All-Region | Wheaton feature | Mount Union feature | Gagliardi finalistsDonovan looked strong on a day not conducive to putting the ball in the air. With a wind of more than 30 mph blowing out of the south end zone all day, kickoffs were an adventure, including the opening kickoff of the second half. It traveled minus-6 yards and was recovered by Mary Hardin-Baylor, though since it hadn't landed 10 yards from the line of scrimmage, it was given to Whitewater. The Warhawks were in the end zone one play later en route to a 20-point third quarter which blew the game open. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:39:38 EST http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/12/12/6202/semifinal-showdowns.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/11/15/6125/selection-show-airing.html The Selection Show is airing on ESPNews right now. At approximately 3:20 when the show ends, we are allowed to post the bracket. Please don't overload the site by hitting refresh frequently. It's the best time of the year here at D3football.com! Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:31:34 EST http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/11/15/6125/selection-show-airing.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/09/17/5994/a-brutal-two-weeks.html Around the Nation
Any schedule in the Ohio Athletic Conference faces multiple challenges, and nine teams must take on Mount Union on an annual basis. And since the conference is rather large, someone must face the Purple Raiders right out of the gate.

This year, that's Ohio Northern. And the Polar Bears just had a bit of a challenge themselves in this past week's opener. But, far from it being the (bad) luck of the draw, it was all part of the design for Dean Paul's squad.

Ohio Northern is the last team to beat Mount Union in the regular season, and they did it under extreme circumstances. Keith McMillan digs in in this week's Around the Nation.

Who has a surprising start? Keith details a handful of those on the good and not-so-good side through two weeks. Plus, Keith's First and Ten notes for Week 2 and Week 3, as well as a look at the bottom of his Top 25 ballot.

That and more in this week's Around the Nation. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:32:53 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/09/17/5994/a-brutal-two-weeks.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/03/26/3147/garcon-working-toward-next-level.html Pierre Garcon certainly made his presence felt in Division III football, from his conference rookie of the year debut at Norwich to three Stagg Bowl appearances with Mount Union.

But it was clear fairly early into his career that Garcon's football life would not be done after Mount Union. While stats in football at the Division III level may not carry much weight in the NFL, speed transcends that, and he has plenty.

Two Division III football players were drafted last year, including UW-Whitewater Derek Stanley, who returned kickoffs for the St. Louis Rams last season.

So what's next for Garcon? Callum Borchers of Imprint Magazine takes a look at Garcon's preparation for the NFL draft, those who preceded him and the ultimate goal. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/03/26/3147/garcon-working-toward-next-level.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/06/17/6706/husson-s-first-coach-steps-down.html Gabby Price has announced that he is stepping down as head coach at Husson. "I couldn't be more excited about the future of Husson Football. We have great people, good players, a new league, and an exciting recruiting class. It simply is time to step aside."

"Gabby is the student athlete's coach. His passion, caring and support for his student athletes are among his greatest qualities," said Husson president Bill Beardsley. "He challenges them, works them hard and praises their academic pursuits just as much as what they do on the field. That is what NCAA Division III athletics and Husson University are all about."

Price has been at the helm for seven years and fielded his first team in 2003. He leaves the program with a 25-28 win-loss record. In his final three seasons his teams went 19-10. This past season his team Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:51:13 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/06/17/6706/husson-s-first-coach-steps-down.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/06/15/6700/ncac-commissioner-dies-of-a-heart-attack.html Dennis Collins, commissioner of the North Coast Athletic Conference passed away suddenly, Sunday, June 14, from a heart attack.

Collins became the conference's first and only commissioner when the league began its first playing season in 1984. For 25 years, he led one of the most successful conferences in all three divisions of the NCAA.

He was a respected national leader and has served as president of the NCAA Division III Commissioners Association, a group he helped to organize in 1989. From 1992-96, he served as a member of the NCAA Council, the national association's equivalent of a board of directors. In the same period, he chaired the NCAA Dist. IV Postgraduate Scholarship Committee, served on the Division Special Restructuring Taskforce and in 1999, completed a six-year term on the NCAA Interpretations Committee. He was awarded the prestigious Meritorious Service Award from the Div. III Commissioners' Association in 2006. He was a Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:00:46 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/06/15/6700/ncac-commissioner-dies-of-a-heart-attack.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/05/26/6679/football-returns-to-pacific.html The Pacific University Board of Trustees announced on May 22, 2009, that it has approved the addition of football to the school's athletics offerings.

Pacific is a member of the Northwest Conference and will be the conference's eighth football team. Pacific dropped football 17 years ago.

The Board voted Friday to add the program, marking a significant milestone in a four-year planning process. Pacific's 21st intercollegiate athletics program hopes to take to the field in 2010, contingent on raising all of the necessary start-up expenses.

“Athletics is a key component for the continued growth of the university and, in particular, its undergraduate programs,” said Pacific president Phil Creighton. “Our football program will aid our recruitment efforts significantly, helping Pacific to continue to grow into one of the finest health professions and liberal arts institutions in the west.”

“It is an exciting day for Pacific University, Boxer athletics and the Northwest Conference,” said Pacific athletic Wed, 27 May 2009 03:02:48 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/05/26/6679/football-returns-to-pacific.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/05/21/6653/a-tommie-tommie-game.html Who says there's no spring football in Division III? The University of St. Thomas was able to play a full spring game this past week in preparation for its foreign tour.

Division III rules permit a school to play against foreign competition as often as one out of every three years. In getting ready for that trip, a team can have 10 fully padded spring practices.

Since those practices can only involve returning players, no incoming recruits, and only players who are going on the trip, usually there aren't enough players to have a full spring game. But since St. Thomas' foreign tour is to Winnipeg, a seven-hour drive away across the Canadian border, 85 suited up for practice, culminating in a Tommie-Tommie game on Sunday.

The normal Division III spring practice is 16 sessions spread over four or five weeks, without pads or helmets. Only in recent years did Division III Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:32:30 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/05/21/6653/a-tommie-tommie-game.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/05/05/6581/nac-schools-reorganize-start-automatic-bid-waiting-period.html The eight football programs formerly set to play under the banner of the North Atlantic Conference have instead formed a new single-sport conference and received active status from the NCAA, putting the group in line for an automatic bid after a two-year waiting period.

The league will be called the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and will begin competition this fall.

The institutions are Anna Maria, Becker, Castleton State, Gallaudet, Husson, Mount Ida, Norwich and SUNY-Maritime.

"Our college conference presidents voted unanimously to support the new ECFC because we believe that it will enhance the overall student-athlete educational experience at our institutions, expand Division III non-scholarship football opportunities, create an automatic qualifier for the NCAA (playoffs), and focus on sportsmanship, fair play, moral integrity and competitive excellence," said Castleton State president Dave Wolk.

Norwich athletic director Tony Mariano said, "The establishment of the ECFC will offer our member institutions the opportunity to participate in an Tue, 05 May 2009 12:54:53 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/05/05/6581/nac-schools-reorganize-start-automatic-bid-waiting-period.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/26/6545/beavers-ittersagen-sign.html Although no Division III football player was selected in this weekend's NFL draft, two players were signed immediately after the draft, with another pair invited to camp.

Wesley wide receiver and return man Larry Beavers signed with the Carolina Panthers, while Wheaton cornerback and return man Pete Ittersagen signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night.

"We're so excited for Larry," Wesley coach Mike Drass said. "This is a great opportunity for a young man who's returned more kicks for touchdowns than anyone in NCAA history." He holds the NCAA all-division records for kick return touchdowns with 10 and total runbacks for touchdowns with 13.

Ittersagen, who broke up 12 passes, had three interceptions and returned two punts, one kickoff and an interception for a touchdown, is the second Thunder player to sign an NFL contract in as many seasons. He follows Andy Studebaker, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:32:14 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/26/6545/beavers-ittersagen-sign.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/24/6538/presenting-one-more-d-iii-football-program.html Presentation announced plans to field a football team in the fall of 2011. Presentation president Lorraine Hale and athletics director Rick Kline made a joint announcement at a news conference on Wednesday, April 22, saying they hope to increase the school's enrollment, which was 491 full-time undergraduates as of the most recent numbers reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Presentation is the only Division III school in South Dakota. The school plans to hire a head football coach in January 2010, with the hiring of an assistant by fall of that year.

Presentation is a member of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.

"As soon as you've got between 60 and 90 extra young people, there's a lot this college can do," Hale said, according to the Aberdeen (S.D.) American News. "We can get a decent pep band. We can be involved in more community things. We just don't have the Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:08:37 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/24/6538/presenting-one-more-d-iii-football-program.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/24/6540/d-iii-s-draft-hopes-pinned-on-pair.html Hartwick quarterback Jason Boltus and Wheaton cornerback Pete Ittersagen represented Division III's best chance at hearing a player's name called in this weekend's NFL draft.

But in the end, no Division III football player heard his name called in the 2009 NFL draft.

Boltus, the D3football.com East Region Offensive Player of the Year, was invited to the NFL scouting combine. Teams like his size, but struggled with his accuracy at the combine.

&&f-boxr&&Ittersagen, the D3football.com North Region Defensive Player of the Year, was described in a recent SI.com article as perhaps, "the best cornerback and return specialist you never heard of. He's broken up 30 passes since his junior campaign while averaging 16.5 yards returning punts. He has the size, speed and skills to make an NFL roster and could end up being tabbed in the late rounds by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers or Houston Texans."

Wesley wideout and return specialist Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:14:41 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/24/6540/d-iii-s-draft-hopes-pinned-on-pair.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/23/6536/lake-forest-coach-steps-down.html Lake Forest athletic director Jackie Slaats announced April 21 that football coach Brent Becker has resigned to pursue other career interests and that defensive coordinator Jim Catanzaro has been selected as his replacement.

Becker was the Foresters' head coach for four seasons after serving two years as the team's defensive coordinator. Lake Forest posted an overall record of 32-28 and Midwest Conference mark of 29-25 during his time at the college. As a defensive coordinator he coached the 2003 and 2004 MWC defensive players of the year and Lake Forest surrendered fewer points than any other team in the conference each season.

"This was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made, but the right one at this time for me and my family," stated Becker. "Lake Forest College has been great to me and I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I've had here. The program I'm leaving behind Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:51:15 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/23/6536/lake-forest-coach-steps-down.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/16/6513/sliac-drops-football-again-umac-absorbs-five.html The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference announces the expansion of membership as five institutions have accepted an invitation to join the league as associate members participating in football only. Eureka, Greenville, MacMurray, Principia and Westminster (Mo.) will join the UMAC beginning with the 2009 season. The SLIAC, which only reinstated football in 2008, drops the sport for the second time in a decade.

The five institutions, which all remain full members of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, will join the existing five football members of the UMAC (St. Scholastica, Crown, Martin Luther, Northwestern (Minn.) and Minnesota-Morris) to form a 10-team football conference. Principia announced in January the suspension of their football program for the 2009 season with the intention of reinstating the program in the future. Associate SLIAC members Huntingdon and LaGrange are not included.

The UMAC expects to receive an automatic bid to the playoffs beginning in 2011 after Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:39:17 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/16/6513/sliac-drops-football-again-umac-absorbs-five.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/15/6507/mcmurry-s-hire-coached-n-m-state-in--08.html McMurry athletic director Ron Holmes announced Hal Mumme as the 20th coach in the program's history Wednesday morning at a news conference. Mumme, who coached Division I FBS New Mexico State to a 3-9 record before he was fired last fall, and his new staff of McMurry assistant coaches start their duties April 16.

"Hal Mumme's track record of turning struggling football programs around was a strong factor in our hiring decision," McMurry president John Russell said. "He is a Texas native with strong ties all over the state as well as throughout the nation. We feel his hiring rejuvenates the McMurry football program and brings excitement to the McMurry family and Big Country football fans."

&&f-boxl&&"Coach Mumme's impressive resume stood out when we were filing through the applicants," Holmes said. "He has extensive coaching experience in nearly all levels of collegiate football."

"We're going to go to work," Thu, 21 May 2009 16:41:01 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/15/6507/mcmurry-s-hire-coached-n-m-state-in--08.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/15/6508/mit-hires-second-coach-in-program-s-history.html On April 15, MIT athletic director Julie Soriero announced the hiring of Chad Martinovich to serve as the second head coach in the history of the program. Martinovich makes the trip to Cambridge, Mass., from RPI, where he was the defensive coordinator the past four years.

Martinovich takes over the reins from long-time head coach Dwight Smith, who announced his retirement last Nov. 12 following a 5-5 season in which he earned NEFC Coach of the Year honors for the second time. Smith had been with the program since its return to the club ranks in 1978, and guided the Engineers into their first varsity game in 1988.

Although change at the top has been infrequent for the grid program,
Martinovich is poised to make an immediate impact with the Cardinal and
Gray. At RPI, Martinovich's defense ranked first in the Liberty League three consecutive years, while the team qualified for the NCAA playoffs Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:48:59 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/15/6508/mit-hires-second-coach-in-program-s-history.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/13/6502/former-ups-player-dies-in-fiji.html Former Puget Sound defensive lineman Beau Jacobson has died. He was 23.

According to the Fiji Times, Jacobson's body was recovered in his diving suit, at Sau Bay on Fiji's Taveuni island.

Jacobson was an All-Northwest Conference player for the Loggers from 2003-06. As a senior, he was named a First Team All-NWC selection as a defensive tackle. He also earned second-team honors as a junior and was a honorable-mention selection as a sophomore.

"The Logger Football family is deeply saddened as Beau Jacobson was taken from us way too soon. Beau's significant impact on the lives of the teammates he played with was considerably exceptional," said coach Phil Willenbrock. "The width and depth of Beau's circle of influence on coaches, teammates, and support staff as well as the greater campus community represents a transcendent individual whom Logger Football will never forget. Our deepest sorrow extends to his mother Laura, and Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:55:23 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/13/6502/former-ups-player-dies-in-fiji.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/08/6490/hundreds-rally-to-save-cc-football.html Hundreds gathered on Colorado College's campus on Tuesday, April 7, to protest the school's decision to cut its football program and rally to save the sport.

Students have raised $400,000 in an attempt to save the sport, which began at Colorado College in 1882. The program's elimination has gotten the attention of thousands of alumni, including Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films, who told the Colorado Springs Gazette he would have loved to have been given the chance to lead alumni support and raise funds to retain the program.

The lack of alumni or student involvement is a major sticking point with the decision. "There was no transparency, there was no input," Colorado College football player Billy Blaustein said at the rally.

Colorado College is one of three schools to announce this offseason that it was dropping football, joining Blackburn and Principia. The school also dropped water polo and softball. Supporters have set Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:16:19 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/04/08/6490/hundreds-rally-to-save-cc-football.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/03/28/6459/menlo-names-interim-coach.html The longest tenured member of the Menlo College Athletic Department was named interim head coach of the Oaks football program on Wednesday. Fred Guidici has long served as Menlo's special teams coordinator and director of football operations while also fulfilling the role of recruiting coordinator within the athletic department.

Guidici -- the sixth head coach at Menlo since it became a four-year institution -- takes over as the leader of Oaks football from Mark Kaanapu, who was named head coach at Merced College last week. Menlo finished the 2008 season 3-7 overall and 2-4 in the NWC.

After graduating from San Jose State with a BS in marketing and a minor in economics, Guidici's coaching pedigree began to take shape during time spent at the prep, collegiate, and professional levels. Guidici began his coaching career at his alma mater, Blackford High (1984-89) in San Jose, before moving up to the collegiate ranks Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:00:45 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/03/28/6459/menlo-names-interim-coach.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/03/24/6452/colorado-college-drops-football.html Colorado College became the third Division III school to drop football this offseason, making the announcement that it was cutting the sport effective the end of the 2008 season.

The decision, announced by president Richard Celeste and athletic director Ken Ralph, comes in response to a mandate from the school's board of trustees to reduce spending by $8 million to $12 million during the next fiscal year.

"We went through dozens of budget scenarios before coming to the realization that we could no longer support 20 varsity sports," said Ralph, who has served as AD since July 2007. "Nobody at the school wanted this outcome and many people worked diligently to find a better alternative. In the end it was clear that this move was necessary to ensure the future health of the athletic department." Discuss the decision on D3boards.com.

&&f-boxr&&The school maintained its Division I men's ice hockey and women's soccer Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:49:37 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/03/24/6452/colorado-college-drops-football.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/03/23/6445/menlo-coach-takes-junior-college-job.html Mark Kaanapu has left the head coaching job at Menlo to take the top spot with Merced College. Kaanapu takes over the helm at the two-year school in California from coach Tony Lewis, who retired after a three-decade career with the Blue Devils.

Kaanapu is 30-48 since the 2001 season began.

"After a careful and thorough national search, we are very excited that Coach Kaanapu has decided to lead the Merced College Blue Devil football program," said Merced College president Benjamin T. Duran. "The pool of candidates was very strong and we are most fortunate to have landed a coach of Mark's stature and commitment to young people."

Kaanapu joined the Menlo football staff in 1996, spending his first three seasons as an assistant. He was the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator during the 1996 season before being promoted to assistant head coach in 1997. He has been responsible for all aspects Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:16:09 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/03/23/6445/menlo-coach-takes-junior-college-job.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/03/13/6401/joseph-signs-with-cfl.html Three-time Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year Juan Joseph of Millsaps will take his talents to the next level as he officially signed to play with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.

Joseph joined other recent Division III CFL signees, as UW-Whitewater linebacker A.J. Raebel and running back Justin Beaver, both D3football.com All-Americans, signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"First I would like to thank God for being blessed and fortunate to play football on the next level," Joseph said. "I am truly grateful about the opportunity, and would like to thank everyone who has sacrificed in order to put me in the position that I am today. My parents, my family, my coaches, my players, my SID, and everyone else who has contributed to my success. I express great gratitude and look forward to making you all proud in the immediate future."

Joseph is the second player in Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:01:06 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/03/13/6401/joseph-signs-with-cfl.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/02/23/6338/mcmurry-coach-steps-down.html McMurry athletic director Bill Libby announced this morning the resignation of football coach Donny Gray. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Edwards has been named interim head coach and McMurry men's basketball coach and soon-to-be athletic director Ron Holmes will be in charge of the search process for a new coach.

Gray went 2-18 in two years as head coach at McMurry. Before being hired as head coach in November 2006, Gray spent six years (2001-06) as an assistant coach at McMurry.

"Coach Gray has done a good job of recruiting and emphasizing academic performance," Libby said. "McMurry wishes the best for Coach Gray and his family as they make decisions about the future."

Edwards has 38 years of coaching experience on the high school and college levels. He has 22 years of head-coaching experience at the high school ranks where he tallied a 169-71-2 record. Edwards has been the McMurry defensive coordinator for Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:45:39 EST http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/02/23/6338/mcmurry-coach-steps-down.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/02/22/6335/sju-packs--em-in.html For the 12th time in 16 seasons, St. John's led Division III in reported attendance. The Johnnies averaged 7,694 fans per game and attracted 46,161 spectators during six home games in 2008. SJU's average attendance of 7,694 per game outdistanced second-place UW-Whitewater at 5,387 fans per game.

Very few schools keep precise attendance figures, and most figures are round-number estimates, often inflated. St. John's home games had attendances of 11,907; 9,436; 9,069; 7,963; 4,169 and 3,617.

&&f-boxr&&The Johnnies' gate helped the MIAC rank first among Division III conferences for the fourth consecutive year with an average of 3,563 spectators per game. In 45 games this season, the MIAC attracted a total of 160,335 spectators. Concordia-Moorhead also made Division III's top 10, with 3,956 fans per game, while St. Olaf was right behind with 3,837.

The American Southwest Conference ranked second with 2,615 fans per game. Mississippi College led the league with 4,978 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:13:38 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/02/22/6335/sju-packs--em-in.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/02/10/6303/austin-player-dies-in-pickup-game.html Zach Swirczynski, a sophomore at Austin College, died Monday night after a pickup basketball game on campus, a school spokesman confirmed to the Associated Press.

Swirczynski, who played fullback for the Kangaroos and got 30 carries last season, "was just playing basketball with a bunch of guys and he just tensed up, took one big breath and went down," teammate Scooter Means told the Sherman (Texas) Herald Democrat. "Then he started shaking like it was a seizure or something. Our trainer came right over and started doing CPR."

He was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 20.

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:17:33 EDT http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/02/10/6303/austin-player-dies-in-pickup-game.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/01/28/6270/two-schools-drop-sport.html Principia and Blackburn each announced they were dropping football, effective immediately. With the additions of programs at Anna Maria and Castleton State, the number of Division III football teams will remain at 238, with a 239th program, Newport News Apprentice, tracked by D3football.com as well.

&&f-boxl&&With the SLIAC falling below seven football teams, the league is no longer in line for an automatic bid in 2010.

"Let me be clear that the football program is well supported and funded and that this decision has nothing to do with program finances," Principia president Johnathan Palmer said in a letter to the campus community, "but rather reflects a recognition that our current program does not produce or provide Principia with the level of participation and competition consistent with our goals for intercollegiate athletics."

Principia started training camp with just 30 players and was ranked No. 239 of 239 teams in D3football.com's Kickoff 2008 preseason ranking. Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:34:09 EST http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/01/28/6270/two-schools-drop-sport.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/01/20/6255/sul-ross-back-killed.html Midland, Texas, police are investigating the murder of Sul Ross State football player Jermaine Swearington. Police say Swearington, 23, was shot at about 4 a.m. Sunday outside of the Pleasures Club at 210 South Lee Street.

Authorities say Swearington, who had been shot several times in the chest and legs, died at 11:30 Sunday morning. Officers say they collected more than 30 shell casings from the scene of the shooting.

Swearington was in his first year at Sul Ross. He was named All-Conference by the American Southwest Conference as a freshman.

James Braziel, 21, Jessie Johnson Jr., 18, and Melvin Lenard, 18, each were charged with one count of murder and were being held in the Midland County Jail Monday night on $250,000 bond, said Cassandra Flores, a clerk at the jail.

An arrest warrant has been issued for a fourth, Miguel Chatman.

A First Team ASC All-Conference pick in 2008, Swearington compiled 909 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:42:23 EST http://www.d3football.com/notables/2009/01/20/6255/sul-ross-back-killed.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/12/20/6219/the-time-is-here.html Cecil Shorts struck early and Drew McClain struck late, leading Mount Union to a 31-26 victory in Stagg Bowl XXXVI.

The Purple Raiders got just 88 yards from Nate Kmic on 22 carries, but Shorts got loose for two long touchdown catches, burning each starting Whitewater cornerback in the first quarter. McClain returned a tipped pass 78 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to give Mount Union an insurmountable edge. Photo gallery.

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Greg Micheli was named the Most Outstanding Player of Stagg Bowl XXXVI, completing 12 of 19 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns while running for 56 more.

D3football.com covered the Stagg Bowl from all angles. Frank Rossi took a first-hand look at the events around the Stagg Bowl from a first-timer's perspective on the Daily Dose. Ryan Tipps blogged during the game, and Keith McMillan took a look at the season that was, in the first of two Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:29:38 EST http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/12/20/6219/the-time-is-here.html http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/12/20/6220/it-took-all-60-for-mount-union-to-take-home-no-10.html By Ryan Tipps
D3sports.com

SALEM – A fourth-quarter interception that was returned 78 yards for a touchdown likely scarred UW-Whitewater's momentum more than any other play on Saturday.

“I think I was just in the right place at the right time,” Mount Union strong safety Drew McClain said of the pick, which helped usher in a 31-26 victory and a 10th championship for the Purple Raiders. “Lucky enough that the receiver tipped it up in the air, and [I] happened to be there. The ball kind of bounced our way. When that happens, you have to take advantage of the opportunity.”

The Warhawks had been slowly chipping away at a lead Mount Union built in the opening minutes of Stagg Bowl XXXVI after quarterback Greg Micheli twice connected with wideout Cecil Shorts for long touchdown passes.

“It was a very hard-fought game, MUC coach Larry Kehres said. “We got a quick start, which we needed. Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:31:54 EST http://www.d3football.com/notables/2008/12/20/6220/it-took-all-60-for-mount-union-to-take-home-no-10.html