Hobart Football Banquet Recognizes Historic Season, Family and Teamwork

Last Friday night over 250 Statesmen Football players, coaches, alumni, faculty, administration and family members arrived at the Belhurst Castle to celebrate the greatest season in the 119 years of Hobart Football.

Organized by former Statesmen All-American WR Joe Stein '86, his brother Eric '89 and Trustee Thomas Poole '61; the Football Banquet was a wonderful recognition of last season's historic achievements.  The evening was also a reminder of what's so great about the Division III student-athlete experience.

The themes of family, teamwork and dedication were abundant in speeches delivered throughout the evening by Hobart Athletic Director Mike Hanna '68, Head Coach Mike Cragg, SR RB and Co-Captain Bobby Dougherty and HWS President Mark Gearan.  The highlight of the night's procedings however was when the current players, coaches and support staff were given individual championship rings and pendants thanks to a group of 35-40 alumni donors representing every decade from the 1950's all the way to the 2000's.

One other award presented before dinner, as a surprise, seemed to go over pretty well too (see below).

I could go on about the party at Coach Cragg's into the wee hours of the night, but thought better of it. That said I'll leave you with this: I think the best summary of the event was penned by rising SO RB Connor Hartigan who tweeted "It's a great night to be a Statesman."

Go 'Bart!