President's Athletic Conference

#pac60: Celebrating PAC football

8/6/2014 5:00:24 PM

GREENVILLE, Pa. (pacathletics.org) – The Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC), formally organized in 1955 by charter members Case Institute of Technology, Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, and Wayne State University, is celebrating its 60 anniversary throughout the 2014-15 academic year. The PAC will be recognizing 60 of its outstanding student-athletes that have competed as members of both present, and past, league-affiliated institutions in 19 championship sports with the creation of 60th anniversary celebratory teams.

The PAC's 60th anniversary football team was announced at PAC Football Media Day on August 6.

Sixteen of the PAC’s past and present members are participating in the yearlong celebration project. All 10 of the PAC’s current members were automatically included, while past league members must have had at least a 10-year affiliation with the conference to participate.

Both past and present PAC members receive “automatic” selections on the 60th anniversary teams based on the institution’s membership time. Each school also has the opportunity to nominate a maximum of six (6) additional “at-large” student-athletes, per sport, for consideration.

Sport-specific advisory committees, made up of 5-6 past and present PAC coaches and administrators, will determine additional “at-large” student-athletes to be recognized in order to reach 60 student-athletes on each celebratory team.

The anniversary team, which features 15 schools, has 49 "automatic" selections and 11 "at-large" selections. Over 60 "at-large" nominations were put forward for advisory committee consideration.

Name	School	Position	Years competed	Hometown / High School
Ryan Abels	Waynesburg	RB	2003-06	Elizabeth, Pa. / Elizabeth-Forward
Ryan Abels, a four-year starter at running back, is statistically the top rusher in Jacket football history. Abels was a first-team All-PAC selection in each of his four seasons at Waynesburg and, to this day, remains the program leader in scoring (270), touchdowns (45) and all-purpose yards (4,173). He also ranks fourth in total offense (3,989). Abels scored at least 10 rushing touchdowns in each of his four seasons and averaged 5.4 yards per carry while averaging just under 100 yards rushing per game (99.6). He finished his career with 3,985 rushing yards on 734 carries and 43 rushing touchdowns.
Zach Autenrieb	Thomas More	DB	2009-12	Cincinnati, Ohio / Elder
In 2012 Zach Autenrieb was selected as a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, earned Kentucky Commonwealth Collegiate Defensive Player of the Year honors, and was named the PAC’s Player of the Year. A four-time, first-team All-PAC selection, he was named to three All-America teams following his 2012 campaign. Autenrieb currently holds the NCAA’s Division III career interceptions record with 32. A two-time D3football.com All-American, he set the Thomas More single-game interception record with three against Bethany in 2011 and holds the single-season interception record with nine, set in 2009. He is tied for the longest interception return in Thomas More history with a 100-yard return against Grove City in 2012, holds the school record for career interception return yards with 434, and interception return yards in a single season with 200 (2012).
Chris Babirad	Washington & Jefferson	RB	1990-93	Bentleyville, Pa. / Bentworth
Chris Babirad holds 18 Washington & Jefferson records, including career rushing yards (5,714), career rushing yards per game (129.9), career rushing touchdowns (65) and career points (446). He also rushed for a single-season record 2,471 yards and 32 touchdowns in 1992. His 4,419 career regular-season yards is the 20th best total in NCAA Division III history, while his average of 10.7 points per game is 11th in NCAA history. He was a two-time, first-team All-PAC performer and a Kodak and Champion All-American in 1992. In his senior season, he was also named the USA Today Player of the Year after leading the Presidents to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl and the Lambert Trophy.
Jason Baer	Washington & Jefferson	QB	1992-95	Connellsville, Pa. / Connellsville
Jason Baer was a four-year starting quarterback for the W&J football team who led the Presidents to four PAC titles and four trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Baer is a member of the winningest senior class in W&J football history as the Presidents posted an overall record of 43-6. He guided W&J to three-straight NCAA semifinal appearances, including a berth in the 1994 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. Baer is ranked second in school history in passing yards (7,550), completions (542) and touchdown passes (87). As a freshman, Baer finished seventh in the nation in pass efficiency after throwing for 1,686 yards and 21 touchdowns. He helped the W&J offense rank third in the nation in scoring offense. In the first round of the 1994 Division III playoffs, Baer stole the show as his four touchdown passes gave the Presidents a 28-0 victory over Trinity. Baer set a W&J record for most touchdown passes in a season with 25 in both 1994 and 1995 and was honored as an All-South Region honoree.
Scott Barnyak	Carnegie Mellon	RB	1987-90	Jeannette, Pa. / Penn-Trafford
Scott Barnyak was named PAC Offensive Player of the Year in 1989. That same year, the Tartans won their seventh PAC title. He ranks fourth on school’s all-time rushing charts with 2,618 yards. He became the school’s all-time leading rusher following the 1989 season and held the top spot for ten years. Barnyak holds the school record for most points scored in a single season with 138.
Tim Barrett	John Carroll	RB	1971-74	Buffalo, N.Y. / Canisius
In 1974, Tim Barrett was named an AP Little All-American and led NCAA Division III in rushing. He was a first team All-PAC choice from 1972 to 1974 and rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his final three seasons, including a school record 1,409 yards in 1974.  Barrett scored 25 touchdowns over his final two seasons, and finished with 37 for his career. He concluded his four seasons with 3,625 yards rushing. Barrett, just the second Blue Streak to have his number retired (Carl Taseff was the first), was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1975.
Jeff Beer	Bethany	QB	1977-80
Jeff Beer is famous on Bethany’s campus for leading the Bison to their last PAC Championship during the 1980 campaign. A 1991 inductee into the Bethany Hall of Fame, Beer was a four-time All-PAC selection. A four-year starter, Beer currently ranks third all-time on the Bethany career passing yards list with 5,580. He also ranks third all-time in touchdown passes (47) and fourth in completions (388). Beer also held the Bison single-season mark for passing yards for 32 years, as he threw for 2,302 yards during the 1980 season (the mark stood until 2012). Beer is currently living in Pittsburgh, Pa., and works for Stryker Medical.
Mike Beltz	Hiram	LB	1983-87	Avon, Ohio / Avon
Mike Beltz was named the PAC Defensive Player of the Year 1987. He earned Division III All-American honors in 1987 and was a four-time All-PAC selection. A Hiram team captain, Beltz led the 1987 team to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
R.J. Bowers	Grove City	FB	1997-2000	West Middlesex, Pa. / West Middlesex
R.J. Bowers was a four-time, first team All-PAC selection from 1997-2000. The Melberger Award winner in 2000, Bowers was a three-time AP Little All-American, a two-time AFCA All-American, and concluded his career as the all-time leading rush in college football history with 7,353 yards. The first 7,000-yard rush in college football history, he concluded his career as the NCAA leader in career points (562) and touchdowns (92). He helped Grove City to conference titles in 1997 and 1998 and played in both the Blue-Gray game and the Hula Bowl. Bowers played for the Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns (2001-03. He was inducted into the Grove City College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.
Mark Carlisle	Thomas More	LB	2003-06	Canal Winchester, Ohio / Bloom Carroll
Mark Carlisle was named the PAC’s Most Valuable Player in 2006, becoming the first football player in Thomas More history to claim the award. A 2006 D3football.com All-American, he is tied for the school record in career tackles with 445. Carlisle was selected to the 2005 and 2006 All-PAC first team, the program’s first two seasons in the league. In 2005 he totaled 147 tackles, including 20 tackles for a loss, and four sacks. In 2006 he finished with 125 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for a loss.
Brandon Chambers	Thiel	WR	2002-05	Farrell, Pa. / Farrell
Brandon Chambers was a very talented wide receiver who helped the Tomcats claim the PAC title in 2005 and earn the program's first-ever berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Chambers was a three-time All-PAC honoree, twice being named to the first team. Chambers holds PAC records for career receptions (203), career receiving yards (3,111), and receiving yards in a season (1,388), as well as the most receiving yards in a game (283) against Bluffton on Sept. 20, 2003. Chambers is Thiel’s career leader in touchdown receptions (34), punt return yards (535) and is also second is points (212). The Football Gazette and D3football.com selected him to their All-America second teams following the 2005 season.
Tom Coniglio	Case Western Reserve	RB	1980-83	Moon Township, Pa. / Moon Township
A four-time All-PAC honoree, Tom Coniglio was named team MVP for the 1983 campaign after recording 23 receptions for 268 yards and three touchdowns. He also served as a captain for the 1983 squad that finished 8-1 overall and 7-1 in the PAC.
Scott Cree	Waynesburg	DB/RET	2007-09	Waynesburg, Pa. / Waynesburg Central
After playing his high school football at Waynesburg Central, Scott Cree made his mark for the Yellow Jackets as well. Cree, who played defense and special teams, will be remembered as the most prolific return man in Yellow Jacket history. Without ever playing offense, Cree totaled nine touchdowns in a variety of ways for Waynesburg. Cree recorded four kickoff return touchdowns, three punt return touchdowns and two interception returns for touchdowns. He finished his Jacket career as the all-time leader in punt return yards, punt returns, punt return touchdowns, kickoff return yards, kickoff returns, and kickoff return touchdowns. Following his junior season, D3football.com recognized Cree as an All-American, as he earned honorable mention status. Cree was honored twice as a first-team All-PAC performer and was named an ECAC Division III Southwest Football All-Star following his senior year. Following his senior season, Cree played in an All-American Bowl game in Charleston, West Virginia and made the most of his appearance, catching two touchdown passes for 129 yards and being named MVP of the contest.
Matt Cruse	Bethany	WR	2006-09	Naples, Fla. / Barron Collier
Cruse remains one of the top wide receivers in Bethany football history. A four-time all-conference player, Cruse twice earned second team All-PAC honors. At the culmination of his stellar career, Cruse became Bethany's all-time leader in receptions (177), receiving yards (2,625) and touchdown catches (25). His touchdown mark is seven more than any other Bison in school history. Cruse is currently living in Corpus Christi, Texas and is serving in the United States Marine Corps.
Mike Czerwien	Waynesburg	DL	2004-07	Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills
Mike Czerwien spent four years as one of the finest defensive players in the PAC. By the time he hung up his cleats, Czerwien was a four-time, first-team All-PAC selection and was named the PAC Player of the Year in 2007. Along with his conference accolades, the Pittsburgh native saw his name etched in the national record book when he ended his playing career as the NCAA’s all-division career sack leader (53.5). He also racked up 86.5 tackles for loss and 273 career tackles. Czerwien was honored as a member of four different All-American teams and participated on the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-Star team for the 2007 Aztec Bowl game. His efforts on the field caught the attention of the Indianapolis Colts, which traveled to Waynesburg to give Czerwien a tryout following his senior season. He was a two-year member of the Jacket coaching staff following his playing days. Sadly, Czerwien passed away on July 6, 2010, as a result of an incident he suffered during part-time employment for a local construction contractor.
Kennard Davis	Thiel	DB	2001-04	Farrell, Pa. / Farrell
Kennard Davis was a shutdown defensive back who dominated for the Tomcats in the early 2000's. Davis, a four-time All-PAC first team honoree, holds the Tomcat record and is second in PAC history in career interceptions (24) and interceptions in a season (9). He returned six interceptions for touchdowns in his career, including two in a game against Bethany in 2003. D3football.com named him an All-American three times throughout his career. In 2001, the Football Gazette named him to its All-American first team and Hewlett Packard named him to its All-American second team.
Brian Dawson	Washington & Jefferson	QB	1999-2002	Pittsburgh, Pa. / Thomas Jefferson
Brian Dawson etched his name into national and school record books following his four-year career as an All-America quarterback for the Presidents. Dawson still holds eight school records after setting 22, including passing yards (10,257), which at the time of his graduation was the fifth-highest total in NCAA Division III history. In 2003, Dawson was one of 42 quarterbacks in all NCAA divisions (I, I-AA, II or III) to total at least 10,000 passing yards in a career. Those passing yards remain today as the 19th-best total in NCAA Division III history. In 41 career games, Dawson completed 668-of-1,136 passes (.588) for 91 touchdowns. He also amassed 10,065 total offensive yards in 1,380 plays. His 10,065 yards of total offense were the ninth-best total in Division III history at the time of his graduation. In addition, Dawson's 91 career touchdown tosses were also the 10th best total, while his average of 250.2 career passing yards per game ranked 21st in the 2003 Division III record book. Dawson compiled one of the top seasons by a quarterback in NCAA history in 2000 when he led the nation in passing efficiency (201.5). He completed 65.6 percent of his passes (149-of-227) for 2,675 yards and 29 touchdowns in 10 games. His 201.5 rating remains as the 11th-best, single-season mark in NCAA history. Dawson finished his career as a two-time PAC Most Valuable Player and a four-time All-PAC selection. In addition, he earned All-America honors from Football Gazette and Hewlett Packard following the 2001 season. Dawson started every game of his career after being one of the only players in school history to earn the starting quarterback job during his rookie season.
Fred DiSanto	Case Western Reserve	QB	1980-84	South Euclid, Ohio / St. Ignatius
A 1996 inductee of CWRU’s Spartan Club Hall of Fame, Fred DiSanto was named the PAC Offensive Player of the Year in 1983 after totaling 1,127 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. DiSanto was also tabbed a honorable mention All-America for the first of two straight seasons by the Associated Press. During the 1983 and 1984 seasons, he led his team to records of 8-1 and 9-0, respectively, and the number nine spot on the final national rankings in 1984. One of the finest student-athletes to ever suit up at CWRU, DiSanto is the only Spartan to earn 12 varsity letters with four each in football, basketball, and baseball.
Mike Donato	Thiel	LB	1965-68	Sharon, Pa. / Sharon
Mike Donato was a feared linebacker during his time with the Tomcats in the late 1960's. He was a three-time All-PAC first team selection from 1966 to 1968. Donato is entering his first season as an assistant coach for the Tomcats after spending time as an assistant with Westminster.
Jim Donnelly	Case Western Reserve	RB	1981-84	Cincinnati, Ohio / St. Xavier
A 2011 inductee of CWRU’s Spartan Club Hall of Fame, Jim Donnelly was a second team Associated Press All-American in 1983 with 814 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Also an All-PAC selection in 1983, Donnelly was a two-time Academic All-American in 1983 and 1984.
Gilbert Floyd, Jr.	Washington & Jefferson	DB	1988-91	Uniontown, Pa. / Tri-Valley
Gilbert Floyd, Jr. is tied with Dave Conn for the W&J record for most interceptions in a career with 15. A four-year letter winner, Floyd earned All-PAC honors in all four of his seasons, including first-team selections as a junior and as a senior. His teams advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs in each of his last three years. He was also selected as the team's defensive Most Valuable Player in his senior year and was a Kodak and Champion All-America honoree in 1991. Floyd was also honored with the Hughes Murphy Award for leadership at the College. During his career, the Presidents accumulated a record of 33-6-1.
Armando Fortunato	Saint Vincent	LB	2008-11	Brockway, Pa. / Brockway
A two-time All-PAC performer, Armando Fortunato anchored the Bearcats’ defense through its two most successful seasons to date since the program was brought back in 2007. He recorded 77 tackles during his senior season, helping the team finish 6-4 in the regular season and earn a berth in the ECAC Southwest Bowl. Following his senior season, he was selected to play in the Tazon de Estrallas gam in Mexico. Fortunato posted 95 tackles as a junior, including 10 or more in five different contests, including 15 in a single game. An accounting major as a student, he now tackles numbers as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Pittsburgh.
Scott Froelich	Westminster	RB	2001-04	Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio / Cuyahoga Falls
Froelich ranks second all-time in the PAC and Titan history with 4,903 career rushing yards. Froelich, a three-time All-PAC selection (twice named to the first team), was voted the 2003 PAC Player of the Year (the only in Titan football history) and the 2003 ECAC Division III South Region Player of the Year. Froelich is third in Westminster history in non-passing scoring with 260 points (43 touchdowns). He was the leading scorer for the Titans from 2002-2004 and the leading rusher all four years that he played. He recorded four touchdowns in a single game twice, which is tied for first in school history. His 43 non-passing touchdowns ranks third in Titan history. In 2003, Froelich recorded 1,486 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns, ranking third- and fifth-best, respectively, in school history. He was selected to the 2004 NCAA Division III All-South Region second team and was named a 2004 ECAC Division III Southwest All-Star first team recipient. He is currently the president at C4 Marketing, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Mike Ganey	Allegheny	RB	1966-69	Kenmore, N.J. / St. Joseph’s Prep
More than 40 years after graduating, quarterback Mike Ganey’s name can still be found all over the Allegheny record books. A four-time, first team All-PAC selection and 1969 Associated Press (A) Honorable Mention All-American, Ganey graduated as the program’s career leader in every passing category, including yards (4,564), completions (342), and touchdowns (43), with all three marks standing as school records for 25 or more years. During his 1969 All-American campaign, he fired 17 touchdown passes, which remained an Allegheny season record until 1996, while he also ran for 352 yards and six touchdowns on the season. During his four-year career, he led the Gators to a 21-9 overall record and a 16-6 PAC mark, highlighted by the Gators undefeated (6-0) 1968 PAC championship squad. Inducted into the Allegheny Hall of Fame in 1982, Ganey currently resides in Spokane, Washington, and is a social studies teacher and golf coach at University High School.
John Gibson	Thiel	WR	1967-70	Youngstown, Ohio
John Gibson was a four-time, first team All-PAC honoree and a four-time All-Lutheran team selection during his playing days at Thiel. By the time Gibson graduated, he had held career marks in receptions (150), receiving yards (2,054), points (208) and touchdown receptions (27). Upon graduation, Gibson signed a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1971. He is one of just two players in Thiel football history to have their number retired. He was inducted into the Thiel College Hall of Fame in 1982.
Dillon Goodell	Geneva	LB	2010-13	Tarpon Springs, Fla. / Tarpon Springs
Dillon Goodell lead Geneva’s defense in tackles for three consecutive seasons (2011-2013) and achieved back-to-back PAC first-team all-conference (2012, 2013) honors. Over his career he totaled 290 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 3.5 career sacks, seven passes defended, five pass break ups, and one blocked kick. In addition to an outstanding football career Goodell excelled in Geneva’s engineering program, working his way to the College’s Dean List in 2013. He was twice honored with Geneva's male student-athlete of the week award.
Matt Grimard	Bethany	QB	2010-13	Lowell, Mass. / Dracut
Matt Grimard finished his illustrious career as Bethany's most prolific quarterback. At the end of his tenure with Bethany, Grimard had etched his name into the Bison record book a total of 19 times, including career marks in passing completions (781), passing yards (9,463), completion percentage (60.3) and touchdown passes (74). A four-time all conference performer, including a first team All-PAC honoree in 2012, Grimard had arguably his best season as a senior, finishing the year with 3,100 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. At the time of his graduation, Grimard was the NCAA's active leader in total yards with 11,560. He posted a career record of 17-23 and helped the Bison to back-to-back .500 seasons (2010, 2011) for the first time in 10 years.
Ray Hack	Bethany	OL/DL	1959-62
A four-year player who played two ways in both 1961 and 1962, Hack was a valuable member in the trenches for the Bison in the early 1960's. A three-time All-PAC selection, Hack earned all-conference honors as both a defensive and offensive lineman during the 1961 and 1962 seasons. Hack was inducted into the Bethany Hall of Fame in 1985.
Doug Hart	Grove City	K	1985-88	Kettering, Ohio / Kettering
Doug Hart was a three-time, first-team All-PAC selection from 1985-1987 and earned second team All-PAC honors in 1988. A two-time All-American (1986-87) and Pittsburgh Press All-District (1986-87) selection, Hart owns Grove City records for single-game field goals (4), field goals in a season (12) and career field goals (40). His 40 career field goals ranked third in NCAA Division III history at the conclusion of his career.
Zack Hayward	Geneva	QB	2010-13	Beaver Falls, Pa. / Blackhawk
Zack Hayward, a three-time all-PAC selection, compiled 6,239 passing yards and 7,163 yards of total offense during his stellar four-year career. He holds the Golden Tornadoes’ career completion percentage record (60.4%) and is third among the program’s career total offense leaders. The signal-caller has single-game PAC records in pass completions (45), pass attempts (71), passing yards (535), passing touchdowns (7) and total offense (574). In 2013, Hayward set Geneva single-season records in both completion percentage (63.9%) and total offense (3,193).
Dave Hendricks	Thiel	OL	2001-04	Rockton, Pa. / DuBois
Dave Hendricks was a four-time All-PAC selection. He was a first team All-PAC selection as a junior and senior and a second team pick as a freshman and sophomore. He anchored Thiel’s offensive line that helped Steve Minton become the first Tomcat running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in one season. He was also a member of the 2005 team that went undefeated in regular season play and qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs. In 2005, Hendricks received All-American awards from the AFCA, Football Gazette, Associated Press and D3football.com.
Mike Jones	Washington & Jefferson	OL	1992-95	Greenville, Pa. / Greenville
Mike Jones finished his career as one of the greatest linemen in W&J football history. He played on Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl runner-up teams in 1992 and in 1994, and advanced to at least the third round of the NCAa Division III playoffs in all four seasons. A three-time All-PAC honoree, Jones also was named a Kodak All-American in 1994 and a first team Associated Press/American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American in 1995. He also earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors twice during his career. As a captain in 1994, Jones was awarded the Burger King National Scholar-Athlete Award. Jones' teams won four PAC championships and compiled a record of 43-6 during his four years as a President.
Aaron Krepps	Washington & Jefferson	WR/RET	2003-06	Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon
Aaron Krepps is the school record holder in kickoff returns (64), kickoff return yards (1,496), punt returns (76), punt return yards (1,123), punt return average (14.7 ypr) and touchdown receptions (39). He is the second all-time leading receiver in W&J history (181 receptions for 2,788 yards) and also ranks third in W&J history with 5,638 all-purpose yards, 49 total touchdowns and 296 points. Krepps ended his career with a 35-game streak with at least one reception. In 2005 he was a third team Associated Press Little All-America team selection, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American, and D3football.com All-American and was selected to play in the Aztec Bowl All-Star Game. He finished senior season ranked among the top 25 in six different statistical categories. In 2004, Krepps was named a D3football.com second team All-American and the ECAC Southwest and PAC Player of the Year.
Rich Lackner	Carnegie Mellon	LB	1975-78	Pittsburgh, Pa. / Mt. Lebanon
Rich Lackner was a four-year starter for the Tartans. During his four years, he was a three-time All-PAC selection as well as the PAC’s 1976 Defensive Player of the Year. In 1978, Lackner was named to the Pittsburgh Press All-District Team and received a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Dapper Dan Award. He was twice named a CoSIDA Academic All-American. During his playing career, Carnegie Mellon had a four-year mark of 28-7-1 and won PAC titles in 1977 and 1978. The Tartans advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 1978, marking their first postseason appearance since the 1939 Sugar Bowl. Following graduation, Lackner remained with the Tartans as an assistant coach. Seven years later, Lackner was named head coach. He has an overall mark of 266-115-4 (.696) record from 1975-2013 as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, with a mark of 13-8-1 in the PAC from 1986-89 as a head coach with a PAC title in 1989.
Ron Leuschen	Thiel	RB	1978-81	Erie, Pa. / McDowell
Ron Leuschen was a three-time All-PAC selection, including first-team nods in 1979 and 1981. He ranks third on Thiel’s all-time career scoring (208), rushing yards (2,519) and rushing attempts lists (553). He also ranks second in career rushing touchdowns (31). He was inducted into the Thiel College Hall of Fame in 2000.
Aaron Margo	Grove City	SS	2002-05	Dover, Ohio / Dover
Aaron Margo was named a first-team All-PAC selection and first-team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American in 2005. Following the 2005 season, Margo played in the Aztec Bowl. He led Grove City with 96 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles during the 2005 season. His 4.5 sacks also ranked second on the team. He held the school record for longest interception return (94 yards) and posted 22 tackles for loss over his final two seasons.
Gerald “Jerry” Massaro	Thiel	RB	1961-64
Gerald Massaro, a halfback for the Tomcats, was a four-year letter winner and captain of the 1964 team. As a sophomore he earned All-PAC first team honors and was a Pittsburgh Press All-District first team pick. Massaro finished as the PAC's leading rusher in both the 1962 and 1963 seasons. He currently ranks sixth in the Tomcat record books in career rushing yards (1,862) and career rushing attempts (454).
Mark Matlak	Allegheny	RB	1974-77	Bridgeville, Pa. / Chartiers Valley
Currently the head football coach at Allegheny, Mark Matlak put together a storied four-year career on the gridiron for the Gators from 1974-77. A three-time All-PAC selection, Matlak ran for 2,382 yards and 28 touchdowns during his 31-game career, while hauling in 28 catches for 377 yards and four scores, despite sharing the backfield for three seasons with two-time All-American Tibor Solymosi. As a freshman in 1974, Matlak led the Gators in scoring with 10 touchdowns (seven rushing/three receiving) in eight games, averaging 6.4 yards on 43 carries, and 16.0 yards on 16 receptions. In 1975, the sophomore gained 690 yards on 123 carries with six touchdowns to earn his first of three first team All-PAC laurels, before gaining 673 yards and scoring seven touchdowns in eight games as a junior in 1976. In 1977, he was named the PAC Offensive Player of the Year, running for 744 yards and eight touchdowns in just seven games. Named the Gators’ MVP in all four seasons, Matlak was also a four-year starter and all-conference performer in baseball. Inducted into the Allegheny Hall of Fame in 1989, Matlak was named the Gators’ head football coach in 2002, and has amassed 61 career wins, good for second in team history.
Steve Minton	Thiel	RB	2004-07	Cranberry Township, Pa. / Seneca Valley
A four-time All-PAC honoree, Steve Minton was a dominating running back during his four years at Thiel. He was selected to the All-PAC first team after both his sophomore and junior campaigns. He was named a first-team All-South Region and a honorable mention All-American pick by the Football Gazette. He was also a second team All-South Region selection by D3football.com as a sophomore. He is Thiel’s all-time leading scorer (216) and rusher (645 rushing attempts for 2,970 yards and 35 touchdowns), and holds single-season records for scoring (114), rushing yards (1,066), rushing attempts (230), and rushing touchdowns (19).
Robert Montes	Hiram	LB	1981-84	Youngstown, Ohio / Woodrow Wilson
Robert Montes was selected as a two-time PAC Defensive Player of the Year (1982, 1984), two-time NCAA Division III All-American (1982, 1984), and earned All-PAC honors in each of his four seasons. He held Hiram’s career tackles (521) record and tackles per game (14.9) record upon graduation. A team captain for the Terriers, Montes played on Hiram's 1982 PAC championship team.
Adam Moses	Waynesburg	TE	2009-12	Fairview Park, Ohio / Lutheran West
Despite playing offensive line throughout his high school playing days, Adam Moses was converted into possibly the greatest tight end in Waynesburg football history. After taking over the starting job as a sophomore, the imposing 6-5, 250-pounder was a three-time first team All-PAC pick. He was honored as a 2011 first team preseason All-American by Lindy’s magazine after hauling in 37 catches for 431 yards and seven touchdowns. He followed that effort up with a 42-catch, 441-yard, four-touchdown effort as a junior in 2011. After being named a pre-season All-American by Beyond Sports Network (BSN) prior to his senior season, Moses finished his playing days by leading the Jackets in receptions (38) and touchdown catches (six) in 2012. His final statistics included 117 catches for 1,236 yards and 17 touchdowns over just three years as a regular contributor to the offense.
Ken Murawski	Carnegie Mellon	LB	1978-81	Pittsburgh, Pa. / Baldwin
Ken Murawski was a three-year starter and four-year letter winner for the Tartans. During his four seasons, Carnegie Mellon compiled a 34-5-1 record and won three PAC titles (1978, 1979, 1981). Following the 1981 season, Murawski was named Kodak First Team All-American and Associated Press (A) Honorable Mention All-American. He was a two-time All-PAC selection and finished his career with 243 total tackles (159 solo stops) and nine interceptions.
Jim O’Hara	Wayne State	OL	1956-59
Jim O'Hara ranks among the Tartars' finest offensive linemen ever. Following his junior and senior seasons, he was named the team's Most Valuable Lineman, earned All-PAC first team honors, and was selected to the Associated Press (AP) All-State Small College teams. In 1959 he served as the team captain, was named co-Most Valuable Player, along with fullback Jim Morse, and was named to the AP's Small College All-American Honorable Mention team. He lives in Venice, Fla.
A.J. Pagano	Washington & Jefferson	RB/KR	1984-87	Butler, Pa. / Knoch
A.J. Pagano was a four-time All-PAC running back for W&J from 1984-1987. He led W&J to its first postseason appearance since the 1922 Rose Bowl in his freshman year. In all, W&J claimed three PAC championships and made four NCAA Division III playoff appearances with Pagano in the backfield. He was a two-time PAC Most Valuable Player and All-American. He finished his career as the second leading scorer in Division III history with 361 points and is currently the 12th leading scorer in history. He still holds the school record for all-purpose yards in a game with 357 versus Carnegie Mellon in 1987, along with four other records.
Frank Pilato	Washington & Jefferson	DB	2001-04	Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia
After his senior season in 2004, Frank Pilato became just the seventh player in school history to be selected to the Associated Press (AP) Little All-America Team as a first team selection. He accumulated 95 tackles and seven interceptions as a senior after leading the Presidents to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 1995.  Pilato was recognized on the 2003 and 2004 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team, one of only two players in school history to land the prestigious honor twice. He also earned All-America distinction from D3football.com (2003 and 2004), Football Gazette (2004) and CoSIDA (2003). A two-time first team All-PAC selection, Pilato intercepted 18 passes and became W&J's all-time leader, a record which still stands today. He produced 232 career tackles and 23 pass breakups and was selected as one of 44 players for Team USA in 2004.
Ed Pinkham	Allegheny	DB/RET	1971-74	Clark, N.J. / Clark
Ed Pinkham was a dynamic player both on defense and special teams for the Gators from 1971-1974. Defensively, he posted 14 career interceptions, still good for second all-time in program history, including a PAC-leading six picks as a freshman in 1971. An explosive return man, Pinkham averaged 22.9 yards per kick return, with two touchdowns, and 13.8 yards per return with three touchdowns on punt returns. His 81-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 1971 win over Case still stands as the third-longest in program history, while his 91-yard kick return score in 1974 is good for sixth-longest in team history. As a senior in 1974, he earned second team Associated Press (AP) All-America honors after tallying two interceptions and 31 tackles, while ranking in the top-10 in the NCAA in both kick return (25.2) and punt return (12.8) average. That season, he helped spearhead a Gator unit that ranked eighth nationally in total defense (181.4 yards/game), as the Gators finished 7-1 overall and captured the PAC title. For his career, Pinkham was a four-time All-PAC selection, two-time All-Pennsylvania selection, and two-time Pittsburgh Press All-District pick. After graduating he entered the coaching ranks, and following stints as the defensive coordinator at Minnesota and Rutgers, he is currently the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan. He was inducted into the Allegheny Hall of Fame in 1988.
Gordon Premier	John Caroll	DB/RB	1961-63	Detroit, Mich.
Gordon Premier was a part of the Blue Streaks football program coached by John Ray that established numerous NCAA defensive records. He was a defensive back and was awarded MVP honors for the position in 1961, 1962, and 1963. He was also an All-Catholic All-American and All-PAC halfback during those three seasons. The 1962 team ended the year with five consecutive shutouts and surrendered just 20 points all season. The 1963 squad had a similar defensive mindset, as it allowed just 28 points. Both teams were PAC champions. All in all, the John Carroll football teams outscored their opponents, 351-48, in posting the second and third undefeated seasons in the history of the Blue Streak program. No team has been undefeated since.
Dave Rastoka	John Carroll	LB	1986-89	Willowick, Ohio / Mentor Lake Catholic
Dave Rastoka was a three-time consensus All-American at linebacker and three-time first team All-PAC selection. In 1989 he was named the Bill Edwards Award winner as the most outstanding linebacker in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). He was also named the PAC’s Most Valuable Defensive Player in 1988. Rastoka was a three-time team captain for the Blue Streaks and leading tackler on John Carroll's 1989 OAC champion and NCAA Division III playoff team. He graduated as the school record holder for tackles in a single game, single season and career.
Barry Sarver	Wayne State	OL/LB	1958-61
Barry Sarver was selected as an All-PAC performer on both sides of the ball (OG in 1959, LB in 1961). A captain of the 1961 WSU team, Sarver lives in Denver, Colo.
Jerry Schweickert	John Carroll	QB	1957-59	Chicago, Ill. / DePaul
Schweickert, a first team All-PAC quarterback in 1957 and 1958, earned All-PAC honors as a halfback in 1959 as well as receiving an All-Catholic award that season. John Carroll claimed PAC titles in 1957 and 1959, the latter season marking the first undefeated campaign in JCU football history. In his two seasons as a starting quarterback he threw for 853 yards. As a senior, he led the team in scoring with 46 points. After graduation, he was the head coach of the JCU football team from 1965-1976. His coaching record during those 12 seasons was 57-40-4. He also was the founder and head coach of the JCU baseball program, a team he led from 1973-1995.
Glenn Silvidi	Westminster	OL	2000-03	Hubbard, Ohio / Hubbard
Silvidi, a four-year starter who was a first team all-PAC pick following his junior and senior seasons, anchored an offensive line that helped the Titans average 184 rushing yards per game and allowed only 15 sacks in 2003. Also in 2003, Silvidi helped pave the way for PAC Player of the Year running back Scott Froelich (the only Titan football player to earn his honor), whose rushing yards (1,486) and total touchdowns (17) are third- and fifth-best, respectively, in school history. Silvidi was selected to the 2003 NCAA Division III All-South Region third team and the 2003 ECAC Division III Southwest All-Star first team.
Aaron Smetanka	Saint Vincent	QB	2010-11	Allison Park, Pa. / North Catholic
A two-time All-PAC first team selection, Aaron Smetanka led Saint Vincent to its first winning season since the program’s return in 2007, a 6-4 regular-season record in 2011. In that season Saint Vincent received a bid to the ECAC Southwest Bowl. He threw for a modern-day school record of 2150 yards in 2011 while completing 62 percent of his passes (190-308). In just two seasons, he threw for 4,116 yards and 31 touchdowns. His 17 passing touchdowns in 2010 are a modern-day school record. In 2011, he was selected to play in the Tazon de Estrallas gam in Mexico. In 2013 and 2014, Smetanka was the starting quarterback for the Erie Explosion of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL), leading the team to back-to-back league championships. In 2014, he was named the league’s Offensive MVP. In between CIFL seasons, Smetanka returned to Saint Vincent as the team’s quarterback coach, a role in which he continues to serve.
Tibor Solymosi	Allegheny	RB	1973-76	Erie, Pa. / Cathedral Prep.
A three-time All-PAC performer and two-time Honorable Mention Associated Press (AP) All-American, Tibor Solymosi remained the Gators’ career record holder in every major rushing category for nearly two decades after graduating. In just 33 career games, Solymosi ran for 3,257 yards and 35 touchdowns, forming the nation’s leading rushing attack for three seasons alongside another Allegheny Hall of Famer, Mark Matlak. Solymosi led the Gators in rushing in all four years, and over his final three seasons, averaged 110 yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game. After gaining 658 yards with seven touchdowns as a freshman in 1973, Solymosi burst onto the scene with an 871-yard, 9-touchdown performance the next season, when he earned his first of three straight All-PAC accolades. He earned his first All-American nod in 1975 after gaining 853 yards with a team-best nine touchdowns, before closing out his career in 1975 with 875 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn his second consecutive All-American accolade. While he enjoyed immense individual success, the Gators were also quite successful as a team, posting a combined 24-8-2 overall record, and 22-5-1 PAC mark. A 1989 inductee into the Allegheny Hall of Fame, Solymosi is currently an attorney and partner in the firm Segel and Solymosi in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Doug Steiner	Grove City	FB	1994-97	Orrville, Ohio / Orrville
Doug Steiner earned PAC MVP honors following his 1997 season. A two-time first team All-PAC (1996-97) selection, he also earned All-America honors following the 1997 season. Steiner was the first 1,000-yard rush in Grove City history (1,073 yards in nine games during the 1996 season) and rushed for a single-season record 1,490 yards and 29 touchdowns in 1997. He co-captained Grove City’s first PAC title team in 1997 and was named the Grove City College Sportsman of the Year for the 1997-98 academic year.
Mike Stone	Grove City	OL	1994-97	Poland, Ohio / Poland
Mike Stone was a first team All-PAC selection in 1997 and a second-team All-PAC pick in 1996. He was also named an All-American following the 1997 season. Stone anchored an offensive line that cleared the way for two 1,000-yard rushers in 1997. Grove City set a single-season school record with 4,249 offensive yards in 1997, including 3,315 rushing yards. The 1997 team won the PAC and earned the school’s first-ever ECAC bowl berth by going 9-1 overall.
Bobby Swallow	Washington & Jefferson	QB	2005-08	Salem, Ohio / West Branch
Bobby Swallow is one of two football players in W&J history to have been named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America team twice during a career. The school record holder for passing touchdowns (104) and career completion percentage (.681), Swallow was a member of two PAC championship teams (2006, 2007) and the Presidents made four NCAA Division III playoff appearances during his career. In 2008, W&J advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals and Swallow led the way with a school-record 46 touchdown passes. He is the NCAA Division III record holder for lowest interception percentage among quarterbacks with at least 1,000 pass attempts (only 15 interceptions thrown in 1,023 attempts). Swallow also ranks eighth in Division III history in career pass efficiency (172.8) and 15th all-time in touchdown passes.
Matt Szczypinski	Washington & Jefferson	DL	1992-95	Pittsburgh, Pa. / Canevin
Matt Szczypinski was a four-year letterwinner for the W&J football team and a team captain in his senior season. In 1993, he was named a Champion third team All-American after posting 83 tackles and nine sacks, both third on the team. The defensive unit led the nation in total defense, rush defense and scoring defense. Following his senior season, Szczypinski was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)/Schooner's, Associated Press and ECAC Division III All-America teams. In addition, Szczypinski was honored as a CoSIDA Academic All-American. He was also a finalist for the Gagliardi Award, given to the top player in all of Division III. He played on two squads that advanced to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in 1992 and in 1994.
John Tomlinson	Thiel	DL	1965-68	Doylestown, Pa. / Central Bucks
John Tomlinson was a four-time All-PAC selection and a force on both sides of the ball for the Tomcats. A Lutheran All-American three times from 1966-1968, he was selected as a Little All-American honorable mention pick in 1967. He is one of just two players in Tomcat football history to have his jersey number retired. He was inducted into the Thiel Hall of Fame in 1979.
Eric Walker	Bethany	RB	2008-11	New Brighton, Pa. / New Brighton
Eric Walker controlled the backfield for four years for the Bison between 2008 and 2011. He earned all conference status four times, including second team honors in back-to-back seasons (2009 and 2010). Despite being third on the all-time career rushing attempts list, Walker tops the Bison record books in career rushing yards (3,043) and rushing touchdowns (41). Walker also tops the career record mark in total touchdowns with 47 and is second all-time in all-purpose yards (3,949). In back-to-back seasons in 2009 and 2010, Walker twice broke the single-season touchdown mark, running for 11 in 2009 and increasing that mark to 12 during the 2010 campaign.
Denny Williams	Bethany	WR	1977-80
Denny Williams was the top target for quarterback Jeff Beer during Bethany's 1980 conference championship run. Williams became the first wide receiver in school history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark, and for that he earned both All-PAC and All-American status. Williams finished his career with 1,959 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns and held the school’s single-season receiving yardage record for 33 years at 1,036 (Eric Blinn broke the mark in 2013). Williams currently resides in North Carolina and works for Gadge USA.