LA SALLE FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2008
New Era of La Salle Football welcomes 52, including 26 from NJ, 14 from PA, 5 from MD and 7 others from around the country

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle University will kick-off a "New Era" of football under the leadership of first year Head Football Coach, Phil Longo. The Explorers return 27 letter-winners who will be joined by 26 offensive and 25 defensive student-athletes, in addition to one kicker.

The La Salle coaching staff will welcome 18 skill players including five quarterbacks, nine receivers and five running backs. They will be joined by an impressive group of seven offensive linemen. The defensive recruits consist of five defensive ends, six defensive tackles, four inside linebackers, four outside linebackers, and six defensive backs. One kicker is also being brought in to round out the Class of 2008.

In addition to the 35 recruits who hail from either New Jersey or Pennsylvania. Seven other states are also represented such as New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Florida, Arizona, Iowa and Minnesota.

The new group of quarterbacks are highlighted by quick-trigger man, Michael Jump (Toms River, NJ), athletes James Monaco (Tucson, Arizona), and Dwayne Lodge (Neptune, NJ), and Craig Mushko (Northampton, PA). The incoming crew of receivers are extremely promising, including John Secondo (Wilmington, NC), All-State receiver Mike Steffen (Dover, NJ), Chris Garzone (La Salle College HS , PA), Dan McVey (Notre Dame ,NJ), Dan Capelutti (Mainland, NJ) and 6-4 202 lb. Bernie Cevis (Port Deposit, MD). Six RB's will fortify the backfield spearheaded by an explosive transfer, Steven Adelman (Pima Jr. College, AZ), Jarryd Anderson (Neptune, NJ), speedster Wilson Maldonado (Clifton, NJ) and All-State RB EJ Williams (Pleasantville, NJ). They will be joined by a very strong group of offensive linemen led by Nebraska transfer, (6-5 320 lb.) Aaron Burbach (Dyersville, IA), Steve Dassing (Olney, MD), Kevin Waters (Norristown, PA), Mark Miller (Lititz, PA), Steve Roeckel (Browns Mills, NJ), Kevin Wallace (Galloway, NJ) and Victor Lagasi (St. Peter's Prep, NJ).

Defensively, Mario Palmieri (Exeter, PA), John Costello (West Chester, PA), Tom Bender (Bayonne, NJ), and Rob Olsen (Mantua, NJ) lead a pack of nine secondary candidates. The corps of incoming linebackers is led by David Gruberg (Poughkeepsie, NY), Drew Paunil (Silver Springs, MD), Juwuan Hubbard (Scotch Plains, NJ) and Ryan Bricker (Lanceter-Strasburg, PA). Supplementing the defensive ends are four players including stand-outs JJ Luney (Tampa, FL), Zach Boyce (Brick, NJ), Wayne Kuehner (Dayton, NJ), and Tim Karis (Scotch Plains, NJ). Joey Hamm (River Edge, NJ), Casey Herstich (Bethlehem, PA), Justin Oddo (East Amherst, NY), Thomas Grossman (Chesilhurst, NJ) and transfer Karl Burrowes (Hightstown, NJ) headline a large group of young talent reporting to compete up front at the defensive tackle position. Freshman Greg Dempsey (Trainer, PA) will report to kick for La Salle this season and Tom Bender (Bayonne, NJ) will also punt in addition to his duties as a defensive back.

The Explorers will begin their season opening at home vs. Wagner College on September 4th. They will travel to Monmouth University on September 11th for their second contest. La Salle will play their first MAAC league game vs. St. Peter's on Thursday Night, September 23rd. They round out their schedule by hosting Duquesne University for their final MAAC league game at home on November 6th.