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Hofstra University Athletics

THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND

HOFSTRA FOOTBALL SIGNS 18 RECRUITS FOR 2004

2/5/2004 10:00:00 AM

Hofstra University Head Football Coach Joe Gardi today announced 18 scholastic student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to attend the University this August. The 18 newcomers hail from 10 states.

 

"Overall, I'm please with our recruiting effort this year,?ť Pride Head Football Coach Joe Gardi stated. ?œWe cornered the offensive linemen that we wanted early. We also shored up the receiving corps with some good receivers with outstanding size. We also got some help in the secondary. We feel that we have a solid group that will help us in the future.?ť

 

Gardi also announced that Trinity-Pawling Prep quarterback Jay Graber (Clarksburg, NJ/Notre Dame HS) has enrolled at Hofstra for the spring semester.

 

Name                                       Pos.     Ht.       Wt.       Hometown/High School/Prep

Kyle Arrington                          CB       5-10     180      Accokeek, MD/Gwynn Park   

Joe Asermelly                           OL       6-5       290      Hopkinton, RI/Chariho Regional

Charles Brooks                        WR      6-1       175      Lancaster, PA/J.P. McCaskey

Clarence Clanton                      CB       6-1       190      Norfolk, VA/Lake Taylor

Tom Daddino                           LB       6-1       225      Franklin Square, NY/Carey

Mike Denimarck                       TE        6-4       225      Sound Beach, NY/Miller Place

Jay Graber*                             QB       6-3       210      Clarksburg, NJ/Notre Dame HS/Trinity Pawl.

Kareem Huggins                       RB       5-9       180      Irvington, NJ/Bayley-Ellard

Mike Juliana                             OT       6-3       275      Burlington Township, NJ/Holy Cross

Chris Lacher                             DE       5-11     240      Toms River, NJ/Toms River North

Shemiah LaGrande                   DT       6-0       250      Staten Island, NY/Curtis

Ottis Lewis                               WR      6-6       205      Norwalk, CT/Brien McMahon

Martell Mabry                          LB       6-3       205      Bolingbrook, IL/Bolingbrook

Ryan Martinez                          LB       6-2       200      Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck

Bryan Smith                              WR      6-2       185      Matteson, IL/Marian Catholic  

Stephen Tate                            SS        6-0       175      Centreville, VA/Centreville

Greg Vineyard                          RB       6-0       190      Gary, WV/Mount View

Mike Wood                             OT       6-3       260      Chesapeake, VA/Western Branch

Vincent Ziccardi                       OL       6-2       245      Boca Raton, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas

          *enrolled in Hofstra     

-30-

 

2004 HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL NEWCOMERS

 


Kyle Arrington                       CB       5-10     180      Accokeek, MD/Gwynn Park

 

Was a member of the football, basketball and track teams at Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine, Maryland?¦Played in the secondary and as a kickoff and punt returner?¦Was named to the all-county second team as a defensive back?¦Was a key member of the Yellow Jackets regional championship team in 2003?¦Team captain as a senior?¦Honor Roll selection in 2003?¦Personal: Born August 12, 1986?¦Son of Sandra and Kelvin Arrington?¦Has one brother and two sisters?¦Enjoys playing basketball and lifting weight in his free time?¦Was recruited by Clemson, Southern Mississippi, Colgate and Towson.

 

 

Joe Asermelly                        OL       6-5       290      Hopkinton, RI/Chariho Regional

 

Was a four-year member of the football and track teams at Chariho Regional High School in Wood River Junction, Rhode Island?¦Was an all-state selection and Chariho's Most Valuable Player as a senior?¦Recorded 83 pancake blocks on offense and had 56 tackles, six sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three pass deflections and two blocked kicks on defense?¦The Chargers made the playoffs with an 8-2 record in 2003?¦Was an all-division selection in 2002 and 2003?¦Was a three-time all-division selection in track?¦Was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes team leader in high school?¦Personal: Born April 8, 1986?¦Son of Diane and Nicholas Asermelly?¦Has two brothers?¦Enjoys playing the guitar in his spare time?¦Was recruited by Harvard, Liberty and Boston College.

 

 

Charles Brooks                      WR     6-1       175      Lancaster, PA/J.P. McCaskey

 

Was a four-year member of the football and track teams and played three years of basketball at McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?¦Named to the Patriot News Platinum 33 Team?¦Named to the all-conference first team at receiver after recording 52 receptions for a single season school record of 987 yards and 16 touchdowns?¦Team captain for the conference co-champion Red Tornadoes as a senior?¦Played on three straight conference co-championship teams?¦McCaskey posted a 27-6 record over his last three years?¦Personal: Born March 31, 1986?¦Son of Stephanie and Charles Brooks?¦Has one brother and one sister?¦Enjoys playing basketball in his spare time?¦Was recruited by Delaware and Indiana University (PA).

 

 

Clarence Clanton                   CB       6-1       190      Norfolk, VA/Lake Taylor

 

Was a member of the football, basketball and track teams at Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Virginia?¦Named to All-Tide defensive team and all-district team on offense and defense as a senior after recording 13 catches for 386 yards as a receiver and 45 tackles, four interceptions and four sacks in the secondary?¦Personal: Born March 8, 1986?¦Son of Clarence Clanton Sr?¦Has one brother?¦Enjoys listening to music and playing video games?¦Was recruited by Norfolk State and Virginia State?¦Aspires to a career in business.

 

 

Tom Daddino                          LB       6-1       225      Franklin Square, NY/Carey

 

Was a four-year member of the football and wresting teams at H. Frank Carey High School on Long Island?¦Named to All-Long Island Team in football as a senior?¦Was an All-Nassau County selection in football and wrestling as a junior?¦Posted 296 career tackles?¦Two-time All-American in wrestling?¦Personal: Born August 1, 1986?¦Son of Marigrace and Len Daddino?¦Has four brothers and three sisters?¦Enjoys football and wrestling in his free time?¦Was recruited by Northeastern, New Hampshire and Delaware?¦Aspires to be a teacher and a coach after college.

 

 

Mike Denimarck                   TE       6-4       225      Sound Beach, NY/Miller Place

 

Played four years of football and basketball and three years of baseball at Miller Place High School on Long Island?¦Was an all-county and second team All-Long Island selection as a senior after recording 28 receptions and three touchdowns?¦Also tallied 12 sacks?¦Named to the all-division second team in basketball?¦Personal: Born November 25, 1985?¦Son of Christine and Mila Denimarck?¦Has one sister?¦Is a baseball card collector?¦Was recruited by Rhode Island, Connecticut and Central Connecticut?¦Would like to own his own business after college.

 

 

Jay Graber*                           QB      6-3       210      Clarksburg, NJ/Notre Dame H.S./

                                                                                    Trinity-Pawling Prep

 

Comes to Hofstra from Trinity-Pawling Prep School in Pawling, New York?¦Passed for 1,550 yards and 17 touchdowns, was named to the All-New England first team and was selected All-New England Player of the Year?¦High School: Attended Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey?¦Named to all-conference, all-area and All-New Jersey teams as a senior after passing for 2,802 yards and 35 touchdowns in 10 games?¦Was selected conference and area Player of the Year by the Trentonian/Trenton Times, and South Jersey Player of the Year and All-New Jersey by the Star-Ledger?¦Selected to the New Jersey Super 100 Team?¦Voted team Most Valuable Player?¦Named Most Valuable Player of the Sunshine Classic All-Star Game?¦Passed for 1,520 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior and was named to all-conference and all-area teams?¦Personal: January 4, 1985?¦Son of Diane and Joe Graber?¦Has two sisters?¦His sister Jenna is a freshman basketball player at LaSalle University?¦Enjoys reading, working out and playing video games in his free time?¦Has volunteered at the Special Olympics, the local soup kitchen and homeless shelter?¦Was recruited by Connecticut, Akron, Penn State, Maryland, Lehigh and Northeastern?¦Aspires to be an engineer.

 

 

 

 

Kareem Huggins                    RB      5-9       180      Irvington, NJ/Bayley-Ellard

 

Was a four-year member of the football team, a three-year member of the track team and played one year of basketball at Bayley-Ellard High School in Madison, New Jersey?¦Was a first team all-area, all-conference and all-country selection and an All-New Jersey second team pick as a senior after recording 1,637 rushing yards on 184 carries?¦Played on the Colonial Hills Group I Conference Championship Team that posted an 8-3 record?¦Had 2,504 all-purpose yards in 2003?¦Named to all-county and all conference first teams, and all-area second teams as a junior after rushing for 1,600 yards?¦Was second team all-conference as a sophomore?¦Personal: Born May 24, 1986?¦Son of Sabrina Alston and Darrell Huggins?¦Has four sisters?¦Was recruited by New Hampshire, Delaware, Villanova and Rutgers.

 

 

Mike Juliana                          OT       6-3       275      Burlington Township, NJ/Holy

                                                                                    Cross

 

Played four years of football and golf at Holy Cross High School in Delran, New Jersey?¦Was an All-Darlington County and All-Olympic Liberty League first team selection as a senior as the Lancers captured the conference championship and were Parochial IV State semifinalists with a 8-3 record?¦Was second team all-league as a junior when Holy Cross captured the conference title and were Parochial IV State finalists?¦Personal: Born December 31, 1985?¦Son of Sandra and Michael Juliana?¦Has one sister?¦Enjoys golf and weightlifting in his free time?¦Has served as a volunteer for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia since 2000 and has also been a volunteer PeeWee football coach?¦Was recruited by Boston College, West Virginia, Rutgers and Northeastern?¦Aspires to teach and coach after college.

 

 

Chris Lacher                          DE       5-11     240      Toms River, NJ/Toms River North

 

Was a four-year member of the football team and a one-year member of the wrestling and track teams at Toms River North High School in Toms River, New Jersey?¦Named to all-division and all-county first teams and second team All-Shore team as a senior after posting 70 tackles, 20 tackles for losses, and 10 sacks?¦Selected team Defensive Player of the Year?¦Recorded 72 tackles and five sacks and was named to all-division and second team all-county teams in 2002?¦Was selected Defensive Line Player of the Year by the Mariner Coaches?¦Toms River captured the Shore American Conference championship with a 10-1 record?¦Posted 74 tackles and seven sacks as a sophomore?¦Personal: Born October 2, 1985?¦Son of Diana and Thomas Lacher?¦Has two brothers?¦Enjoys weightlifting and going to the beach in his free time?¦Volunteered his time for the Special Olympics at St. Luke's Church and at a nursing home?¦Was recruited by Army, Lafayette, Wagner, Monmouth, Lehigh and Richmond?¦Aspires to be an FBI agent.

 

 


Shemiah LaGrande                DT       6-0       250      Staten Island, NY/Curtis

 

Was a four-year member of the football team and a two-year member of the track team at Curtis High School in Staten Island, New York?¦Recorded 69 tackles and eight sacks as a senior and was named to the All-New York City teams by the Staten Island Advance, the New York Daily News and Newsday?¦Posted 75 tackles and 18 sacks as a junior when the Warriors captured the city championship?¦Tallied 63 tackles and eight sacks as a sophomore and 59 tackles and 10 sacks as a freshman?¦Personal: Born September 10, 1986?¦Son of Charmaine and Timothy LeGrande?¦Has one brother and two sisters?¦Was recruited by Massachusetts, Akron, Wagner and Buffalo?¦Served as a volunteer at the Vanderbilt Nursing Home?¦Aspires to own a business after graduation.

 

 

Ottis Lewis                             WR     6-6       205      Norwalk, CT/Brien McMahon

 

Played four years of football and basketball at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, Connecticut?¦Was an all-conference, all-area and all-state selection in football after posting 18 receptions for 521 yards as a senior?¦Was also named to all-area and all-conference teams in basketball after averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds per game in 2002-03?¦Named all-area, all-conference and all-state as a junior after recording 22 receptions for 453 yards?¦Personal: Born September 13, 1986?¦Full name is Ottis Lewis III?¦Son of Adele Smith?¦Has one sister?¦Enjoys movies and other sports in his free time?¦Was recruited by New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut?¦Aspires to a career in business after graduation.

 

 

Martell Mabry                       LB       6-3       205      Bolingbrook, IL/Bolingbrook

 

Played football and basketball at Bolingbrook High School in Bolingbrook, Illinois?¦Was an all-conference and all-area selection by the Joliet Herald?¦Posted 42 tackles and six sacks as a senior?¦Was team captain in 2003?¦Tallied 44 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior?¦Personal: Born September 5, 1986?¦Son of Sheila and Troy Mabry?¦Has one sister?¦Enjoys video games in his free time?¦Was recruited by Akron?¦Aspires to a career in criminal justice after graduation.

 

 

Ryan Martinez                       LB       6-2       200      Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck

 

Played football at Teaneck High School in Teaneck, New Jersey?¦Was a first team all-conference, all-area, all-state Group IV and a second team all-state All-Groups selection as a senior?¦Posted 100 tackles and 18 sacks in 2003?¦Was Teaneck's Most Valuable Player as a senior?¦Recorded 15 sacks as a junior and 10 as a sophomore?¦Personal: Born August 15, 1986.

 

 


Bryan Smith                           WR     6-2       185      Matteson, IL/Marian Catholic         

 

Was a four-year member of the football team, a three-year member of the basketball team and one-year member of the track team at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois?¦Was named to the All-East Suburban Catholic Conference first team as a senior after posting 33 receptions for 500 yards?¦Played on Marian Catholic's Illinois State Playoff qualifying team in 2003?¦Personal: Born October 28, 1985?¦Son of Yolanda Smith?¦Enjoys golf and reading in his free time?¦Was recruited by Illinois and Northern Illinois?¦Has volunteered for the elderly at the Oak Forest Hospital?¦Aspires to a career in broadcasting or business.

 

 

Stephen Tate                          SS        6-0       175      Centreville, VA/Centreville

 

Was a four-year member of the football and tracks teams and played two years of baseball at Centreville High School in Clifton, Virginia?¦Was a first team All-Northern Region selection at wide receiver after recording 38 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns as a senior?¦Also posted four rushing touchdowns and one interception return for a score?¦Was named to the All-Journal team and the All-Concorde District first team?¦Played on three district and regional championship teams (2000-2002)?¦Personal: Born April 26, 1986?¦Son of Eula and Ronnie Tate?¦Has two brothers and two sisters?¦Enjoys playing guitar and video games in his free time?¦Was recruited by Delaware and Marshall?¦Aspires to a career in real estate.

 

 

Greg Vineyard                       RB      6-0       190      Gary, WV/Mount View

 

Played four years of football and baseball and two years of basketball at Mount View High School in Welch, West Virginia?¦Was a two time first team all-state selection?¦Rushed for 1,578 yards on 115 carries as a senior and 975 yards on 91 carries as a junior?¦Was team captain and Mount View's Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior?¦National Honor Roll selection?¦Personal: Born November 1, 1984?¦Son of Kishon and Thomas Vineyard?¦Has one brother and one sister?¦Enjoys weightlifting in his free time?¦Was recruited by West Virginia, Marshall, Eastern Kentucky, Connecticut and Maryland?¦Aspires to a career in broadcasting.

 

 

Mike Wood                            OT       6-3       260      Chesapeake, VA/Western Branch

 

Played four years of football and one year of basketball at Western Branch High School?¦Was a two-time first team all-district, all-region and All-Tidewater selection and was a first team all-state pick as a senior?¦Named the Best Left Tackle in Virginia by the Roanoke Times?¦Also played at running back and tight end during his scholastic career?¦Had two touchdowns as a tight end in 2001 and one rushing touchdown and three touchdown catches as a running back in 2002?¦Three-time member of the Southeastern District Championship Team?¦Personal: Born May 1, 1985?¦Son of Ellen and James Wood?¦Has two brothers?¦Enjoys fishing, basketball and weightlifting?¦Was recruited by Virginia Tech, William and Mary, James Madison and Maryland.

 

 

Vincent Ziccardi                     OL       6-2       245      Boca Raton, FL/St. Thomas

                                                                                   Aquinas

 

Played three years of football and two years of basketball at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?¦Was an all-county selection as a senior for the Raiders who captured district and south regional championships in 2003 with a 9-3 record?¦Also played on the district championship team in 2002?¦Personal: Born April 26, 1986?¦Son of Madeline and Nicholas Ziccardi?¦Has one sister?¦Enjoys music, video games and working out in his free time?¦Five-time recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award for his work at St. Joan of Arc Church in Boca Raton?¦Aspires to a career in business after college.

 

 

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