Gannon University Athletics - Gannon Football Program Announces Nine Newcomers on First Official NCAA Signing Day

Gannon Football Program Announces Nine Newcomers on First Official NCAA Signing Day

The Gannon football program added nine newcomers during the NCAA's first official signing day.

Dan Teliski, Director of Athletics Media Relations

2/3/2010 3:05:22 PM

ERIE, Pa. - Gannon head football coach Jim Kiernan announced the addition of nine student-athletes to the program Wednesday afternoon during the first official day high school student-athletes are allowed to commit to college football programs per NCAA rules. All nine have agreed to continue their academic and athletic careers at Gannon in the fall of 2010.

The newcomers are expected to join an experienced group of student-athletes as the Gannon football program lost only eight graduating seniors from last year’s 6-5 team. In all, 50 letterwinners and 17 players who started at least six games return in 2010. The program will feature 22 seniors during the upcoming season.

“We are excited about this first wave of recruits,” said Kiernan. “They come from programs with winning traditions and have great potential. We are looking to build a championship program with the type of character and student-athlete represented in this group.”

Today’s signees include four from Pennsylvania, two from New York, one from Ohio, one from Maryland and one from Florida. The position breakdown includes six offensive players, two defensive players and one punter.

Gannon finished the 2009 season with four consecutive victories, recording its first winning season since 2003 by knocking off 19th-ranked Bloomsburg in the season finale.

The complete list of today’s signees can be found below. Complete biographies of each recruit are expected to be released within the next seven days.

Gannon is tentatively scheduled to open the 2010 season Saturday, September 4 against Lake Erie at Gannon University Field. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schedule begins Saturday, September 11 at Shippensburg. Gannon opens the PSAC schedule with three road games, before hosting rival Mercyhurst October 2.

2010 Gannon Football Signing Day Announcements
(Alphabetically)

Benjamin Balzer
Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny / Offensive Lineman / 6-2, 300

Cody Crosby
Warren, Pa. / Eisenhower / Punter & Quarterback / 6-4, 190

Alex Davis
Erie, Pa. / Strong Vincent - Collegiate Academy / Offensive Lineman / 6-3, 275

Kasey Gallagher
Erie, Pa. / McDowell / Linebacker & Defensive End / 6-0, 230

Kevin Gerlach
Williamsville, N.Y. / Williamsville South / Offensive Lineman / 6-1, 275

David Harding
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Fort Lauderdale / Multiple / 5-9, 170

Luke Rankie
Lockport, N.Y. / Lockport / Linebacker / 6-3, 210

Daniel Tapscott
Hyattsville, Md. / DeMatha Catholic / Quarterback / 6-2, 190

Ty Watson
Aurora, Ohio / Aurora / Quarterback / 6-2, 205

Aug

September 2010

Oct

Fri, Sep. 03, 2010

There are no events scheduled.

View Full Schedule

Athletes of the Week

Taryn Millerd

Women's Lacrosse

Millerd captured the final 2009-10 Gannon female athlete-of-the-week honor by breaking the school scoring record for women's lacrosse. The senior midfielder recorded 12 goals, one assist, 13 points, one game-winning goal, two ground balls, three draw controls and one caused turnover during two matches in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament last week. She opened the tourney with seven goals during a 15-9 victory at Mercyhurst in the quarterfinals. Millerd then added five scores during a late 19-18 loss at West Chester in the semifinals. Against the Golden Rams, she became Gannon's all-time leader in goals with 221. Millerd finished her collegiate career third all-time at Gannon in points (287) and ninth in assists (66).

Drew Deimel

Men's Golf

Deimel earned the final 2009-10 Gannon male athlete-of-the-week honor by qualifying for the 2010 NCAA Division II National Men's Golf Championship May 18-21 at The Sagamore Club in Noblesville, Indiana. The junior did so after finishing tied for sixth at the NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional last week at the Glade Springs Resort in Daniels, West Virginia. He is the first Gannon golfer to qualify for the national championship since current head coach Dave Patronik played in the 2003 event as a freshman.Deimel secured the last individual spot with a five-over-par 77 during the final round. He completed the regional with a three-round total of nine-over-par 225. Deimel opened the tournament with a three-over-par 75 during the first round, totaled a one-over-par 73 during the second round, before completing the event with a five-over-par 77. The junior opened the third round with an even-par 36 on the back nine, before turning around and scoring a five-over-par 41 on the front nine. He finished the day with 10 pars, two birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey - his first and only of the regional. The Erie, Pa., native recorded back-to-back birdies on the par-3, 180-yard 13th hole and the par-4, 384-yard 14th hole during the last day. It marked the first time Deimel had birdied either hole that week. He previously birdied the par-5, 501-yard 12th hole and the par-4, 420-yard 16th hole during each of the first two rounds. Deimel was one of four golfers who qualified for the NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional as an individual. He is the first Gannon golfer to be invited to an NCAA regional since Patronik played in the 2006 NCAA Division II Great Lakes/South Central Regional as a senior.

What Gannon home football game are you most excited about attending?

Lake Erie - September 2
Mercyhurst - October 2
California (Pa.) - October 9
Indiana (Pa.) - October 23 (Homecoming)
Clarion - October 30
Kutztown - November 13

Vote...