Hobart Hires Former UofR DC Grange

Breaking news from Geneva is that Hobart has named Nick Grange as the new defensive coordinator for the Statesmen.  A link to the article is below:

Grange Hiring Announcement by HWSAthletics.com

Coach Grange played DII football as a safety and has worked at the University of Rochester for the prior nine seasons.  During that time UofR has had some very solid players (e.g., the 2010 LLDPOY Brendan Pidgeon) showing Coach's acumen as a recruiter.

Hobart probably won't change much on defense scheme-wise but it is good to know that the incoming DC is very familiar with the Statesmen having competed against them for nearly a decade.

Please join me in welcoming Coach Grange to the Statesmen football team!  Go 'Bart!

Scarborough's Russo to Become a Statesman

Scarborough HS (Scarborough, ME) QB/DB Dillon Russo announced on his twitter feed (@Djrusso12) this week that he plans to enroll and play football for Hobart College.

Russo lead the Red Storm to a 7-3 overall record in his SR season, passing for 1,622 yards and 15 TDs while also rushing for 715 yards and six TDs.  An all around athlete, Russo also contributed 91 total tackles and one INT on defense.  Russo had six double digit tackle games as a FS for the Red Storm.  He also returned a five punts on the year, the best being a 43 yard return against Bonny Eagle (Standish, ME).

Here is Russo's Highlight Reel.

The tape shows that Russo is a drop back passer with a strong arm and quick release.  He is also very elusive to would be tacklers and in general is a threat to run which will help keep opposing defenses honest.

What he lacks in size (6' 175 lbs) is more than made up for in quick feet and toughness.  I imagine the Hobart Strength and Conditioning program will bulk him up as well.

The only concern with a QB like Russo is that he was a bit turnover prone (12 INTs and one fumble), but I am sure working with Coaches DeWall and Drach will improve his skills.

Please join me in welcoming Dillon to the Statesmen!  Go 'Bart!

Cragg, Statesmen to be Honored at Meadowlands ECAC Banquet

Head Football Coach Mike Cragg (AFCA Regional Coach of the Year) and the Hobart Statesmen have been invited to the Eastern College Football Awards Banquet.  Coach and the team are being recognized as the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference's (ECAC) Division III Football Team of the Year and the winner of the Lambert Meadowlands Division III poll (i.e., being voted the best eastern team in all of Division III).

Four Statesmen players are also being recognized as part of the 2012 North All Star team.

Your Hobart All-Stars include:

SO DE Tyre Coleman
JR OLB Devin Worthington
SR OL Art Garvey
SR RB Bobby Dougherty

The event is scheduled for Thursday, February 21st in the Lexus Club at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Congratulations to Coach Cragg and these great Statesmen players for this wonderful recognition!

Go 'Bart!

NJ Powerhouse Bergen Catholic Sending Harper to Hobart

Bergen Catholic High School SR DB Mike Harper will attend and play football for the Hobart Statesmen according to a report in the Fort Lee Patch.  BCHS, Westwood, NJ, is a national power ranked in the Top 65 teams in the nation by Maxpreps.com.  Nearly 20 players from BC will attend and play collegiate football this fall:

Fort Lee Patch Story on BC Football Signing Day

Harper brings good size (5' 11", 195 lbs) and speed (4.6) to the Hobart defensive secondary where he will likely learn from fellow Garden State teammate rising SR CB Kevin Hearon (Westfield, NJ).  Not only strong on the field (see the attached Harper Highlight Reel), Harper is a great student.  Heck, I could barely handle calculus in college and this young man is in enrolled in AP Calc as a SR (much respect)!

A picture of the very proud Harper family (rocking an 80's era Houston Astros style Hobart hat I will need to look for at the College Store this April!) is listed below:

Congratulations to Mike and welcome to the Hobart family!

Go 'Bart!

Former Statesman Battling Lymphoma

Statesmen Athletic Association (SAA) members, friends and fans of the Hobart Football program received some bad news today from Head Coach Mike Cragg.  Apparently former Statesmen Co-Captain and OL Kelvin Cruz '11 has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. 

An excerpt from Coach Cragg's note is below (bold mine):

"Kelvin Cruz is a Geneva, NY native and a former team captain. Kelvin was a four year letterman at center, helping pave the path to two playoff appearances in his time at Hobart. In an effort to support Kelvin and his family, Hobart Football has partnered with Geneva High School and Dana’s Time Out to host “Cruzin for Kelvin’s Cure.”  Proceeds will benefit the Cruz family in an effort to offset Kelvin’s medical expenses.  The event will take place on February 23^rd at Dana’s Time Out in Geneva, NY. Dinner will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a silent auction and a live auction.  We are still collecting items to be auctioned at the event and monetary donations can be made out to “Cruzin for Kelvin’s Cure” for those that are unable to attend. Tickets can be purchased any time prior to the event for twenty dollars and at the door for twenty five dollars.  We appreciate your support and hope to see as many of you as possible on the 23^rd.  The details of the event can be found in the document here."

Please consider a gift of any amount to support this young man during this difficult time.

Thank you and go 'Bart!

Williamsville's Wagner Signs with Hobart

Williamsville East High School SR Mitch Wagner tweeted he has committed to attend Hobart as part of the Class of 2017.  Below is the link to his twitter page with his signed enrollment letter:

https://mobile.twitter.com/mitchDwagner/status/289215697958092800/photo/1

Wagner was considered one of the top football players in Class A South (a Buffalo, NY area city league) until a knee injury derailed his SR season.  It was reported he ran a sub-4.5 40 yard dash and you have to wonder whether or not the injury caused some upper division schools (e.g., FCS / Patriot League school Lafayette was pursuing him at one point) to back off, opening the door for Hobart?

Their loss is the Statesmen's gain as Wagner appears to be an excellent all around athlete with good size (6' 2" 195 lbs) and is capable of contributing in many areas including wildcat QB/RB, WR, OLB and/or KR.

Here is some game tape from his JR season:

Wagner Highlight Reel

Please join me in welcoming Mitch into the Hobart Football family.  Go 'Bart!