PITMAN--After finishing the 2009 season with a 7-4 overall record including an appearance in the ECAC Northwest Bowl, SUNY Cortland has been selected as the 2010 preseason football favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Red Dragons will be seeking their third conference title since 2007. 

 

Cortland was selected to finish first on 4-of-the-10 ballots cast by the league head coaches. Under the direction of 14th-year head coach Dan MacNeill, the Red Dragons have posted an overall record of 87-50, capturing the NJAC Championship outright in 2008 after claiming a share of the league crown in 2007. Cortland returns six all-conference players from a squad which posted a 7-2 league record for a third place NJAC finish in 2009 including senior defensive lineman Evan Wyler, senior wide receiver Anthony Guiliano, senior linebacker Will Schroeder, junior cornerback D.J. Romano, senior running back Dom Sair, and senior defensive back Chris Hanlon.

 

The defending conference champion Montclair State University Red Hawks were selected to place second and received three first place votes. The 2009 MSU squad won the league title outright with a perfect 9-0 NJAC record and finished 10-2 overall, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling on the road to eventual national runner-up Mount Union. Led by 2009 NJAC Coach of the Year Rick Giancola, MSU has produced a 191-87-2 overall record during his 27-year tenure. The Red Hawks return three all-league performers from their NJAC championship squad including senior safety Mario McLean, sophomore offensive lineman Mike Sperduti, and senior cornerback Gary Knoeppel.

 

Kean University, which finished as the 2009 NJAC runner-up after posting an 8-1 record in league play, was selected to place third and received two first place votes. The Cougars recorded a 9-2 overall record in 2009, including a 35-14 win over Ursinus in the ECAC Southeast Bowl. Now in his fifth season at the helm of the Cougar program, head coach Dan Garrett has produced a 28-15 overall record during his tenure in Union. Kean returns six all-conference players from its 2009 NJAC runner-up squad including senior fullback Sean Atkins, senior cornerback Chris Lauda, junior safety Jamahl Williams, junior kicker Billy Daniels, junior defensive lineman Ray Wegrzynek, and junior quarterback Thomas D’Ambrisi.

Rowan University, which posted a 7-3 overall record in 2009 while finishing fourth in the NJAC with a 6-3 league mark, was selected to place fourth and received one first place vote. Entering his ninth season at the helm of the Rowan program, head coach Jay Accorsi has guided the Profs to an overall mark of 66-23. Rowan returns four all-league performers from its 2009 squad including senior offensive lineman Tommy Menendez, senior defensive end Matt Hoffman, junior tight end Kevin DelleDonne, and senior linebacker Jerome Gordon.

 

The coaches’ dark horse selection, William Paterson University was selected to place fifth. Led by third-year head coach Jerry Flora, the Pioneers have posted a 9-11 overall record, including a mark of 5-5 during the 2009 season. The Pioneers return four all-conference players from their 2009 squad including senior defensive lineman Dyon Moore, junior defensive back Doug Dudek, senior offensive lineman Chris Osborn, and senior linebacker Jim Hamill.

 

The College at Brockport, led by 15th-year head coach Rocco Salomone, was selected to place sixth. The Golden Eagles have produced a 92-61-1 overall record under Salomone, including a mark of 4-6 in 2009. Brockport returns a pair of all-conference performers from its 2009 squad including senior linebacker Nathan Bull and senior fullback Pat Hashey.

 

The College of New Jersey, which finished 4-6 overall in 2009, was selected to finish seventh. Led by 34th-year head coach Eric Hamilton, the Lions have accumulated an overall mark of 196-130-6 during his tenure. Hamilton’s tenure at TCNJ currently ranks third in terms of most consecutive seasons coached at a NJAC institution, trailing only Kean and Rowan men’s soccer coaches Tony Ochrimenko and Dan Gilmore, each of whom is entering his 35th season this Fall.

 

Western Connecticut State University, under the guidance of ninth-year head coach John Burrell, was selected to place eighth. Under Burrell, the Colonials have notched a 37-43 overall record, including a mark of 2-8 in 2009. Western Connecticut returns a pair of 2009 all-conference players including senior linebacker Mike Lacaria and the reigning 2009 NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year in sophomore running back Tyler DeRosa. 

 

Morrisville State College, under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Terry Dow, was selected to place ninth. The Mustangs have produced a 7-32 overall record since transitioning to NCAA Division III, including a mark of 1-9 in 2009. Morrisville returns one all-league performer in senior offensive lineman Justin Balducci.

Buffalo State College, which posted a 2-8 overall record in 2009, was selected to place 10th. Bengal head coach Jerry Boyes made a return to the sidelines in 2009, and has produced a 91-70 career record during two different coaching stints spanning 16 seasons at Buffalo State. The Bengals return one all-league performer from their 2009 squad in junior fullback Ben Mauer.

The 42nd season of NJAC football will kickoff on Friday, September 3 when William Paterson travels to face TCNJ in a conference match-up. Each NJAC program will play nine conference games in an 11-week season. The winner of the NJAC championship receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.

 

2010 NJAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll
1.	SUNY Cortland (4)
2.	Montclair State (3)
3.	Kean (2)
4.	Rowan (1)
5.	William Paterson (dark horse)
6.	The College at Brockport
7.	The College of New Jersey
8.	Western Connecticut
9.	Morrisville State
10.	Buffalo State
First Place Votes In Parentheses