Patriot League Football 25th Anniversary - Post-Patriot League Success
QUARTERBACKS
Ryan Vena, Colgate (1996-99)
After a successful collegiate career, Vena moved to arena football. He played for six years in the AF2, with the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Pioneers as well as the Albany Conquest. He also spent three years in the AFL, with the Iowa Barnstormers and the Columbus Destroyers. Currently, he is the starting quarterback in the AFL for the Philadelphia Soul.
John Skelton, Fordham (2006-09)
After a stellar career at Fordham, in which he set six school records, Skelton was drafted in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He started the last four games of the 2010 season, completing 60 of 126 passes for 662 yards, including two touchdowns. He is currently on the Cardinals roster heading into the 2011 season.
Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross (2006-09)
The two-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year played in the Arena Football League with the Chicago Rush in the 2011 season.
Tom Ciaccio, Holy Cross (1988-91)
The First Team All-American in 1991 spent a season as a member of the Southern Methodist coaching staff after graduation. Following that, he spent a season playing professionally in Helskinki, Finland, which led to him signing with the Arizona Cardinals. He was the head coach of the Gloversville Huskies (NY) from 2004 - 2009.
Jeff Wiley, Holy Cross (1986-88)
Wiley entered medicine after his playing career. He is an orthopedic surgeon with Concord Orthopedics Professional Association in New Hampshire, specializing in joint replacement.
Frank Baur, Lafayette (1986-89)
Baur pursued professional football until age 30, including being drafted by the San Antonio Rough Riders of the World Football League. Now, he is a doctor of audiology and owner of Amplified Hearing LLC in Bethlehem.
Tom Kirchoff, Lafayette (1989-92)
Kirchoff is the Executive Vice President & COO of Cleveland Brothers Equipment, Co. Inc., and serves on the Board of Directors for Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. and Hydroworx International.
Phil Stambaugh, Lehigh (1996-99)
Stambaugh spent time with a number of professional teams throughout the NFL, and also spent time in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe. He then became a businessman and is currently the Head Coach at his High School alma matter, Pius X High School in Bangor, Pennsylvania.
Scott Semptimphelter, Lehigh (1990-93)
Semptimphelter played five seasons in the Arena Football League, and spent one training camp with the Dallas Cowboys. He currently is living in Brentwood, Tennesseee, and he sells medical and aesthetic lasers. He and his wife currently work with the Autism Foundation of Tennessee to raise money and awareness for autistic children.
Bob Aylsworth, Lehigh (1992-95)
Aylsworth works as the Co-Chief Executive Officer and founder of TriWorth, nationwide talent acquisition firm focused in Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), Middle Management and Executive Search
RUNNING BACKS
Kenny Gamble, Colgate (1986-87)
Gamble, the winner of the first ever Walter Payton Award as the best player in Division 1-AA in 1987, was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. The Kansas City Chiefs drafted him in the 10th round, and he played for them for three seasons. After his NFL career, he began working for Reebok, and today he is Reebok's Vice President and General Manager in the Sports Licensing Division.
Gordie Lockbaum, Holy Cross (1986-87)
Lockbaum was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1988 NFL Draft. He is now a partner at Sullivan Group, a Worcester insurance company. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Lockbaum remains very involved with Holy Cross football, serving as the team's radio color analyst.
Rich Lemon, Bucknell (1993-96)
Lemon, who was inducted into the Bucknell Hall of Fame in 2007, is currently a Human Resources Project Manager for Cooperative Personnel Services. C.P.S. deals in human resource services across the country, and is contracted to work with the Department of Homeland Security.
Jamaal Branch, Colgate (2000-04)
After his Colgate career, Branch went undrafted by the NFL but signed with the New Orleans Saints. He spent two seasons there, totaling 29 yards and a touchdown reception in 2007.
Jordan Scott, Colgate (2005-08)
Scott is currently playing professional football in Italy for the Bologna Warriors.
Bill Sparacio, Colgate (1990-93)
After his playing career, Sparacio became the Head Football Coach at Barron Collier High School in Naples, Florida. He is currently the Athletic Director of First Baptist Academy, also in Naples, Florida.
Kirwin Watson, Fordham (2000-03)
After graduation, Watson went to work behind the scenes in the NFL, serving as a scout for the New York Jets. Watson works with the assistant general manager, director of player personnel, and head coach in tracking and evaluating talent, and is responsible for scouting players in the Northeast and Midwest.
Erik Marsh, Lafayette (1991-94)
Marsh currently is a president at C. Pat Riley Real Estate in Lancaster, Pa.
Joe McCourt, Lafayette (2001-04)
McCourt is currently the head football coach at Roman Catholic in Philadelphia, his high school alma matter.
Rabih Abdullah, Lehigh (1994-97)
Abdullah played in the NFL for six seasons from 1998 - 2004, serving as a running back and kick returner. He spent four years with the Tampa Buccaneers, two seasons with the Chicago Bears, and one year with the New England Patriots, where he won a championship in Super Bowl XXXIX. For his career he had 172 rushing yards and 115 reception yards.
WIDE RECIEVERS
Corey Hill, Colgate (1995-98)
Hill, who finished his career as Colgate's all-time leading receiver, was named as part of Colgate 2011 Hall of Honor Class. He entered real estate, and is now the President and CEO of CCHill Properties LLC, his own company in Pennsylvania.
Luke Graham, Colgate (2001-04)
Colgate's all-time leading pass catcher, Graham works as a sales representative and laboratory consultant at Dancker, Sellew & Douglas.
Javarus Dudley, Fordham (2000-03)
Dudley was an All-American at Fordham, and was inducted into the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame. He entered the Arena Football League, playing for the Orlando Predators and the New Orleans Voodoo.
Ari Confesor, Holy Cross (2000-03)
Confesor currently serves as a wide receivers coach at the University of Rhode Island.
Wally Dembowski, Holy Cross (1986-87)
Dembowski spent 19 years coaching in the college ranks, including jobs as the head coach at UMasss-Lowell and defensive coordinator at Northeastern. In 2011 he was hired as the head coach of Winchester High School in Massachusetts.
Brian Klingerman, Lehigh (1992-95)
Brian works for JDK Management, a company based out of Bloomsburg, Pa. that owns and operates numerous corporations in six different states.
Horace Hamm, Lehigh (1989-91)
Hamm spent one season with the Sacramento Gold Miners, the first American team in the Canadian Football League.
Josh Snyder, Lehigh (1998-01)
Snyder works as an assistant football coach for Northwestern Lehigh High School.
Dave Cecchini, Lehigh (1990-93)
Cecchini has spent his postgraduate career as a college coach. He was the offensive coordinator at Harvard and then The Citadel before returning to his Alma Mater to serve as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Lehigh, where he enters his second season in 2011.
Jason Cristino, Lehigh (1989-92)
Cristino works as a sales trader at MND Partners on the New York Stock Exchange, after working as an equity trader for eight years at American Technology Research.
TIGHT ENDS
Adam Bergen, Lehigh (2001-04)
Bergen went undrafted out of college, but signed with the Arizona Cardinals. He played in all 16 games his rookie year, catching 28 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown. In 2006 he played in 14 games for the Cardinals, recording 15 receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown. In 2009 he signed with the Las Vegas Locomotives in the United Football League. In the two seasons he has played there, the team has won consecutive UFL Championships. Bergen also founded and runs a charity, "The 87 Plays Foundation", whose purpose is to reduce budget cuts in school sports programs and aims to provide every child the opportunity to participate in school sports regardless of their financial circumstances.
John Freiser, Colgate (2000-03)
Frieser played in NFL Europe for the Berlin Thunder. Currently, he is an athletic trainer at Synergy Athletics in Binghamton, New York. He also has been an assistant football coach at the High School level.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Will Rackley, Lehigh (2007-10)
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Rackley, an offensive guard, in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Rackley was selected 76th overall and is competing for a starting spot with the team as a rookie.
Mariusz Misiec, Bucknell (1994-97)
Misiec is currently a financial advisor at Ameriprise Financial.
Nick Hennessey, Colgate (2005-08)
Hennessey played one regular-season game with the Buffalo Bills in 2009. He currently plays for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.
Tom Claro, Holy Cross (1992-95)
Claro was a member of three NFL teams (Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals) and played for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe.
Damian Wroblewski, Lafayette (1995-98)
After graduating, coached at Bryant College, University of Pennsylvania, Hofstra, and Stony Brook. In 2007 he went to the University of Delaware, where he is currently the Assistant Head Coach, Run Game Coordinator, and Recruiting Coordinator.
PLACEKICKER
Jason McLaughlin, Lafayette (1991-94)
McLaughlin is currently a doctor in Abington, Pennsylvania. He is specializing in emergency medicine.
Micah Clukey, Fordham (2003-06)
Clukey works as an accounting manager at NTE Energy in St. Augustine, Florida.
Jim Hodson, Lafayette (1987-90)
Hodson is a managing director for The Loomis Company. He had previously worked as a senior executive for the company, which provides business owners with insurance and risk management solutions.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Hunter Adams, Bucknell (1995-98)
Adams spent a brief time with the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars. He thenplayed in the Arena Football League from 1999 - 2003, playing for five different franchises.
Corey Vincent, Holy Cross (1988-91)
Corey Vincent is currently a Vice President of Sales and Corporate Accounts at Windsor Industries. He has worked there since 1998.
Nick Martucci, Lehigh (1995-98)
Martucci is a regional sales manager at Sentinelle Medical.
Sean Conover, Bucknell (2002-05)
Conover was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. He played in six games as a rookie in 2006. He played five more games with the Titans in 2007.
Michael Ononibaku, Georgetown (2002-05)
Ononibaku has been working at Citigroup since graduation, and is currently an assistant vice president.
Alex Buzbee, Georgetown (2003-06)
Buzbee was with the Washington Redskins organization from 2007 - 2009. He was injured for the entire 2008 season. In 2010 he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
David Puloka, Holy Cross (1997-2000)
Dave Puloka worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the University of Virginia. He spent one year as a strength coach with the Atlanta Falcons and then moved to the Miami Dolphins where he has been the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the past four seasons.
Tom Alfsen, Lehigh (2001-04)
Alfsen is currently an estimating engineer at Turner Construction.
LINEBACKERS
Greg Manusky, Colgate (1986-87)
Manusky spent 11 seasons as a linebacker in the NFL. He played for the Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs, starting 21 games and recording 205 tackles in his career. After his playing career, he entered coaching. He served as the linebackers coach for the Redskins and the San Diego Chargers. In 2007 he was named the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, and in 2011 he became the defensive coordinator for the Chargers.
Ian Eason, Lehigh (1996-99)
Eason is currently a project manager at RPA Engineering in the Philadelphia area.
Andy Romans, Lafayette (2005-08)
The two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year attended minicamp with the New York Giants. He then joined the Muhlenberg College coach staff as the safeties coach.
Matt Cohen, Lehigh (2006-09)
Cohen is currently playing for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks, a professional indoor football team.
Tem Lukabu, Colgate (2000-03)
Lukabu has spent time as an assistant coach at both Rutgers and Rhode Island, and enters the 2011 season as the outside linebackers coach for the Scarlet Knights.
Rob McGovern, Holy Cross (1986-88)
McGovern spent time in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs (who drafted him), followed by stints with the Steelers, Patriots, and Browns. He then got a law degree from Fordham and began working as a special narcotics prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorney. After September 11th he spent time with the Army. He did a tour in Afghanistan, then later was in charge of prosecuting a case against Sergeant Hasan Akbar, who was accused of war crimes in Kuwait. He later won more than 400 convictions in Iraq's Central Criminal Court. He is now stationed in Virginia, where he trains other military lawyers.
Rob Milanette, Holy Cross (1990-93)
After his football career at Holy Cross, Milanette graduate from law school at Boston College. He worked as a litigation associate and a corporate associate until 2005. He was then named Vice President of the Rockport Mortgage Corporation, where he is primarily responsible for the origination of commercial real estate financings.
Dan Bengele, Lafayette (1994-97)
Dan is currently a sales specialist at ECM Corporation, an engineering and construction management firm in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Tad Kornegay, Fordham (2001-04)
Tad is entering his sixth season in the Canadian Football League, and first with the British Columbia Lions. He was recently named one of the top 50 players in the CFL by CFLDailyDose.com.
Dave Murphy, Holy Cross (1986-89)
Murphy has been working in sales and marketing in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Access Communications.
B.J. Gallis, Lafayette (1993-96)
B.J. Gallis spent three years in the Canadian Football League with the BC Lions and the Edmonton Eskimos. He is now a professional healthcare representative with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
Abdul Byron, Lehigh (1998-01)
Byron continued to play football, spending five years playing semi-professional for the New Jersey Terminators, New Jersey Extreme, and Lehigh Valley Outlawz.
Kevin Eiben, Bucknell (1997-00)
Eiben, a British Colombia native, is currently playing with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. He has been with the team since 2001. He is a three time CFL All-Star, and won the Grey Cup in 2004. He is also the owner of an SST Training facility in Oakville, Ontario.
PUNTER
Barry Cantrell, Fordham (1994-97)
Following graduation, Cantrell signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles and was assigned to play for the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World League, winning the 1999 World Bowl championship. He would later appear in two games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2000.
Ben Talbott, Lehigh (1993-96)
Talbott spent two seasons playing minor league baseball with the Anaheim Angels. He currently is the owner of Bird's Eye Studios, one of the largest independent production companies that specializes in gameday video production of professional and amateur sports.