Ten members of the Hobart College football team were honored by the Statesmen Athletic Association and the Hobart Athletics Department at the annual Block H Awards Dinner on May 3.
Senior wide receiver
Tyler Vincent, senior linebacker
Ryan Robinson, sophomore cornerback
Drake Woodard, senior offensive lineman
Brian Monaco, senior defensive tackle
Mike Arduini, senior offensive lineman
Angelo Catalano, senior defensive end
Kwame Lovell, senior linebacker
Orlando Patterson, senior defensive tackle
Mike Faracca, and first-year wide receiver
Junior Woodard were all recognized.
Vincent received the Bill Middleton Memorial Football Award, which goes to the team’s most valuable offensive performer. A 2008 All-Liberty League second team selection at wideout, Vincent was fourth in the League in receiving touchdowns (5) this season. He caught a season-high nine passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns and completed two passes for 53 yards and a TD at Rochester. He finished his career sixth on Hobart’s all-time lists for receptions (116) and receiving touchdowns (16) and ninth on the receiving yards list (1,383). As a punter, Vincent dropped a season-high four punts inside the 20 against RPI and three more inside the 20 at Rochester, finishing the season with 14. He boomed a season-long 58-yard punt against Merchant Marine. Vincent was named Liberty League Co-Special Teams Performer of the Week in each of the final three weeks of the season. Only six of his punts were returned for a grand total of 10 yards as the Statesmen led the League in net punting yards (34.0).
The Bob Toner Defensive MVP Award was presented to Robinson. A three-time All-Liberty League pick, including first team honors in 2009, Robinson was the heart and soul of a Hobart unit that led the Liberty League in scoring defense (15.9 ppg) and total defense (303.1 yards/gm). He led the team in solo tackles (34) and tackles for a loss (10.0). Robinson notched at least one tackle in every game, including a season-high 13 stops at Union. He was named Liberty League Co-Defensive Performer of the Week following a 10-tackle performance in a shutout of RPI. In 37 career games, Robinson posted 166 tackles, 30.5 tackles for a loss, 11 pass break ups, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions. He also represented Hobart in the Division III Senior Classic this fall.
The Robert L. Cullen ’37 Memorial Football Award went to Drake Woodard for his inspirational and outstanding performance on the punt return and punt coverage teams. A unanimous first team all-league selection for the second straight season, Drake was fourth on the team in tackles with 32. He posted a season-high eight tackles, two tackles for a loss, forced and recovered a fumble, and blocked a punt against Carnegie Mellon. He also blocked a kick vs. St. Lawrence. Woodard broke up a season-high three passes at WPI. Teams avoided challenging him this season after he posted seven interceptions in 2008 to earn D3football.com All-East first team, ECAC Northwest Rookie of the Year, ECAC Northwest All-Star, and Liberty League Rookie of the Year honors.
The Tryon Football Award was shared by Monaco and Arduini, as the team’s outstanding linemen, while the Shirley A. Zornow WS ’47 Memorial Award was presented to Catalano for his significant improvement, untiring perseverance, and will to win. Monaco and Catalano helped the Statesmen average 159.0 yards rushing (4th in the League) and 178.4 passing (4th). Thanks in large part to their efforts, Hobart was first in the conference in third down conversion (44.9%), second in fourth down conversion (56.0%), and third in sacks allowed (16). Hobart rushed for a season-high 245 yards at Union and held Carnegie Mellon and St. Lawrence without a sack.
The first two-time first team
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American® from Hobart or William Smith, Monaco was a three-year starter and a three-time Liberty League All-Academic,
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District, and All-Liberty League selection. He also took home the department’s
William C. Stiles ’43 Memorial Award for leadership, determination, and character.
Catalano was a two-year starter and two-time All-Liberty League honoree. He also took a leadership role with the football team’s fundraiser for the
Wounded Warrior Project this fall.
Arduini notched 29 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, registered a sack and forced a fumble in nine games this season. He was a key member of the stifling Statesmen defense that shutout Merchant Marine 28-0 this fall, recording seven tackles, including a sack, in the contest. Arduini tallied a season-high five solo stops at Susquehanna. He wraps his career with 53 tackles, including seven for a loss and nine sacks, two passes defended, and a forced fumble in 29 games.
A three-year starter and three-time All-Liberty League second team selection, Lovell was honored with the Mike Roberti ’90 Memorial Award for character, outstanding sportsmanship, and the positive influence he’s had on his teammates. He recorded 32 tackles this season, notching at least two in every game. He registered a season-high six stops against Carnegie Mellon. Lovell finished his career with 112 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and three pass break ups.
Patterson was presented with the Michael Theodore Sliver ’39 Memorial Award for superior scholarship, sportsmanship, and perseverance. After missing his sophomore season due to injury, Patterson returned to play in every game over the next three seasons. This fall, he posted 29 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss (22 yards) and 3.5 sacks (21 yards). He wrapped his career with 84 tackles (51 solo), four fumble recoveries, and 4.5 sacks (26 yards) in 32 games.
The Harter Family Award was given to Faracca for his outstanding love of the game and desire to win. Faracca recorded at least one tackle in every game, including a season-high seven stops at WPI. The first team All-Liberty League pick and Division III Football Senior Classic participant also had an interception against the Engineers. Faracca blocked two PATs at Dickinson. In 41 career games, he logged 122 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, and 2.5 sacks.
Junior Woodard received the Rookie Award for Football, one year after his brother, Drake, received the same honor. Junior played in all nine games, mainly serving as the team’s punt returner. He returned 19 punts for 108 yards, including a season-long 15-yard return vs. Rensselaer. At Union, Drake returned a kick for 24 yards and rushed for 16 more. He also saw time as a receiver, recording seven catches for 84 yards, including a season-long 31-yard catch vs. St. Lawrence.
The Hobart football team finished the 2009 season with a 6-3 record and placed third in the Liberty League.