Colgate University Football Signs 28 Student-Athletes

HAMILTON, N.Y. - The Colgate football team is pleased to announce the signing of 28 players for the Class of 2009.

Head coach Dick Biddle, who has led the Raiders to winning seasons in each of his nine years at the helm, had this to say about the class as a whole: “I’d say we really met our needs with this class. We signed several offensive linemen, which was a priority for us because we will have to run the ball to be successful. Four of our five starters next year are going to be seniors so we need to reload.”

The Raiders, who finished 7-4 (4-3 Patriot League) in 2004, will graduate 10 of that team’s 22 starters in May. While offensive line depth is a need for the future, several positions – especially the offensive skill positions where all five of Colgate’s starting backs and receivers were seniors in 2004 – must be filled immediately. The defensive front seven is another area hard-hit by graduation, as three of the seven 2004 starters were seniors.

Biddle said, “Some guys are going to have to play as freshmen next season because of depth. You want to recruit a difference maker at quarterback, tailback, and wide receiver every year along with speed on defense and we’ve certainly done that this year.” 

Offensive coordinator Mike Foley seconded Biddle’s statement by saying, “We’ve signed a few good tailbacks, wide receivers, and quarterbacks to supplement the guys we have returning. On paper, this is a really good recruiting class.”

Seven of the 28 recruits will come to Colgate next year from Florida and another seven will come from New York. Ohio, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania will each send three football recruits to Hamilton.

The Raiders are currently participating in winter conditioning drills and will begin spring practice on March 21. “There are going to be a lot of positions up for grabs,” Biddle remarked. “As a coach, that’s fun. I really think we’re going to be a lot better than people think.”

Colgate opens its 2005 season at home against Central Connecticut State on September 3.

RECRUITING NOTES: Alex Relph is the son of former Colgate quarterback Bob Relph, who was Colgate’s starting QB in 1976 and 1977 (Fred Dunlap’s first two years).  He went 8-3 in 1976 and 10-1 in 1977 … Brent Dillingham and Rick Rosabella played for former Colgate running back Bill Sparacio (1990-93) at Barron Collier High School in Naples, Fla … Anthony Fucillo’s father, Tony, is first cousin of hockey great Mike Eruzione, a key member on the 1980 gold medal "Miracle on Ice" United States Olympic Hockey Team … by states: New York 7, Florida 7, Ohio 3, Massachusetts 3, Pennsylvania 3, Georgia 1, New Jersey 1, Maryland 1, Maine 1 and Ontario 1.