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RAVENS EDGE CATAMOUNTS, 10-7
October 22, 2007
By Tom Herzig Correspondent
Times Argus
BARRE – The Vermont Ravens drove deep into UVM territory on their next possession after the Catamounts had tied the score at 7-7 and Henri Moser kicked a 33-yard field goal that put them ahead for the win, 10-7, in Northeast Independent Football League action at A.G. Pendo Memorial Field Sunday.
The Ravens appeared ready to score their second touchdown after a 32-yard kickoff return by Roy Rose, a 10-yard reception by Malik Butler, and three carries by Marvin Jenkins gave them a 1st-and-goal on the UVM eight-yard line. Former Montpelier Solon Adam Keiser tackled Jenkins for a three-yard loss on a 3rd and goal from the 13-yard line and Moser was summoned for what proved to be the game-winner.
The first half ended in a 0-0 tie reminiscent of the first meeting between the two teams, which UVM won 9-3. The Catamounts lost eight yards in nine carries in the half primarily because they couldn't contain Raven linebacker Anthony Michie. The Catamounts used two quarterbacks, starter Drew Trombley and Michael Glynne and Michie sacked them both for a net loss of 21 yards as well as hurrying several passes and making other tackles. In the air, UVM was 5-of-9 for 40 yards in the first half. Raven quarterback Sean O'Connor (6-of-13, 58 yards, 1 INT) didn't fare much better. O'Connor threw for 77 yards in all.
Vermont had a chance to jump out to an early lead when Mike Pratt stripped the ball away as UVM returned the opening kickoff and Matt Godzik recovered it on the Catamount 25-yard line. O'Connor hit Warren Bombardier on a 10-yard square-out, but the Ravens lost 19 yards when the ball was snapped over O'Connor's head in the shotgun formation. Moser's 45-yard field goal try was just short.
Both offenses fell prey to fumbles in their next possessions. Raven lineman Rob Owen tore the ball away from a Catamount runner on UVM's second play from scrimmage at their 35-yard line. Three plays later, UVM cornerback Bryan Onyekaba returned the favor at the thirty.
The defenses dominated in the second quarter. The biggest gain of the quarter was a 13-yard pass from O'Connor to Andrew Kiernan. The most significant play of the quarter came when UVM punter Gavin Battaglia took the snap on a bounce and got off a 52-yard punt to the Raven 33.
Three minutes into the second half, the Catamounts coughed up the ball once more. Mike Pratt recovered the ball on the UVM 20. Following a 12-yard pass from O'Connor to Clay Torres, Marvin Jenkins ran it in from the 11. Jon Beaulieu kicked the PAT and Vermont led 7-0.
As it turned out, Jenkins was just getting started. The 210-lb running back from Barre wound up with 101 yards on 14 carries many of which he got on his own with would-be tacklers hanging off him.
UVM's touchdown came with 3:09 remaining the third quarter. Drew Trombley rolled out and found Brett Rosenberg in the end zone from seven yards out. On the final play of the game, Raven Jesse Martin intercepted Trombley's last pass at midfield.
"We shut them down on offense," Catamount Coach Darren Haynes said. "The turnovers on offense and special teams hurt us, but we came together and did what we had to do. Team-wise we played well. Both teams are now 5-2 and keeping the overall points scored in our favor means that if we can beat Maine next week, we'll get a bye in the playoffs. Our defense has the ability to play zone or man and we can blitz. We concentrated on plugging up the middle and tried to force them outside. Tyler Jackson (South Burlington) was a standout for us defensively. He's everywhere on the field."
"Marvin (Jenkins) is our workhorse," Raven coach Mike Salmon said. "When it gets tough to get yardage, we call on him. Defensively, Anthony Michie was all over the field and Mike Pratt and Brad Lamell had real good games. We play the Central Maine Warriors away next Saturday."
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Another Vermont College Adds Football
Castleton Adds Football as 20th Varsity Sport
(November 29, 2007) - Castleton, VT
Castleton State College President Dave Wolk announced today that the college will introduce football beginning in the fall of 2009.
“An analysis over the past year has convinced us that adding football to our offerings provides many benefits,” Wolk said. “Our investment in student-athletes has been an important part of Castleton’s growth in numbers and in quality. We expect good sportsmanship and exemplary citizenship, and our student-athletes have higher grade point averages, retention rates, and graduation rates than the general student population.”
With the addition of football, Castleton will offer 20 varsity sports. The college is a member of NCAA Division III and does not offer athletic scholarships.
Castleton competes in the North Atlantic Conference, which recently added football as a conference sport. Castleton becomes the seventh member to sponsor football in the NAC, along with Becker College, Gallaudet University, Husson College, SUNY Maritime College, Mount Ida College, and Norwich University.
Wolk said, “I know the Norwich rivalry will grow and flourish as it has in many other sports. The inauguration of football will generate a new level of interest and excitement on campus, in Rutland County, and across Vermont.”
The decision to add football follows the announcement in October of a $25.7 million project that includes an enlarged and renovated Campus Center and a small stadium with a lighted, artificial turf field, which can be used for many intercollegiate and intramural sports, including football.
Athletic director Deanna Tyson said, “It is exciting to have football added as our 20th varsity sport. It is a good fit all around. Students are interested; we have plans for new facilities; and the North Atlantic Conference has just added football.”
Wolk said that the college plans to hire a head coach in the near future, with a start date of July 1, 2008. “We will search for a top-notch coach who is committed to motivating and educating our student-athletes not only on the playing field, but more importantly, in the classroom and community,” he said.
Related Story: Castleton Announces Student Initiative 10/29/07
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CATAMOUNTS STELLAR IN ALL-STAR GAME
Snow is Game's Most Valuable Player!
The Western Division all-stars with players from the Vermont Ravens, UVM Catamounts, and Northern Berkshire Kings defeated the Eastern Division all-stars with players from the Mass Fury, UMO Black Bears, Exeter Gamblers, and the Central Maine Warriors final score 28-0.
The West defensive effort was led by UVM DT Henry Beckwith and TE Tim Snow, who played multiple series at linebacker. Snow ended the game with six takles (five for loss), one sack, and a forced fumble which he recovered and returned for a touchdown. Beckwith had three tackles (all for loss) and two sacks for 24 yards.
Vermont Raven SS Roy Rose added an interception and return of 50 yards. Rose also had 7 tackles and 2 passes defensed. Raven DE's Andrew Kiernan contributed 3 sacks and Thomas Estes had 2. Kings DB Brad Montgomery also had 1 interception.
Offensively, Snow added a rushing touchdown on a TE reverse in the red zone late in the 3rd. Catamount WR Doug DeLuca added a touchdown of his own in the first quarter, on his only catch of the day, a 15-yarder. The West recieved an outstanding effort by Ravens QB Warren Bombardier; a late addition to the game.
1st Quarter:
Raven QB Warren Bombardier 15 yard screen to Catamount WR Doug Deluca (Raven QB Warren Bombardier 2-pt. pass to Raven TE Andrew Kiernan)
2nd Quarter:
Raven RB Marvin Jenkins, 10 yard run (Conversion failed).
3rd Quarter:
Catamount TE Tim Snow, 7 yard run (Kings RB Mark Moreau 2-pt. run).
4th Quarter:
Catamount TE Tim Snow, 20 yard fumble recovery (Conversion failed).
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CATS DOWN BLACK BEARS, 20-12
Vermont Edges Maine in Renewal of Rivalry
Cats Win 20-12 in the First Meeting Since 1974
Before Saturday night, the last varsity football game between the University of Maine Black Bears and the University of Vermont Catamounts was a 31-27 Maine victory on November 2, 1974. 32 years, 11 months, and 11 days later, the schools faced off in football again for the first time at Alfond Stadium on the campus of the University of Maine. This time, the Catamounts were victorious, 20-12.
It was homecoming for Maine and the campus fireworks display could be seen from the stadium prior to kickoff. The fireworks on the field began shortly thereafter. Both Vermont and Maine entered the contest with identical 4-1 records and both having secured playoff berths the previous week. The Catamounts were the leaders of the Northeast Independent Football League’s Western Division and the Black Bears held second place in the Eastern Division.
After holding Vermont to a three-and-out on the first series, Maine began the game in Vermont territory at the 47-yard line. But on the first offensive play, Maine fumbled and Henry Beckwith recovered for Vermont who took over at their own 48. Five plays later, the Cats would return the gift when Doug DeLuca hauled in a Drew Trombley pass and coughed it up at the Maine 15.
After forcing a punt, Vermont started again at midfield. The Catamounts drove 48 yards on seven plays, but were forced to settle for a Gavin Battaglia field goal and a 3-0 first quarter lead.
Vermont finally got into the endzone early in the second quarter. After a 27-yard pass to Eric Mordridge got Vermont into Maine territory, Trombley launched a pass to the right endzone which was caught by a streaking Sean McKenzie for a 38-yard touchdown. Battaglia’s kick made it 10-0 Vermont.
Maine, down but not out, made a statement on the ensuing kickoff by returning it 81 yards to the Vermont 2-yard line. Quarterback Brett Davison strolled into the endzone on the next play for a Maine touchdown. The hold on the PAT was mishandled and Vermont led 10-6.
Late in the second quarter, Maine punter, Dustin Snow, could not handle a snap and was dropped for a 17-yard loss at the Maine 20. Vermont could only manage 5-yards and Gavin Battaglia was called on to extend the lead with a 32-yard field goal. The score at the half was Vermont 13, Maine 6.
Maine came back after the half reenergized and mounted a scoring drive on their first possession. After returning the kickoff to the Maine 45, the Black Bears rode Davison’s arm for nearly all of the 55-yards drive. TE Daniel Sporogis caught Davison’s 1-yard TD pass. Vermont’s Tyler Jackson blocked the PAT and the score was narrowed to 13-12, Vermont.
Vermont’s answer came quickly. Starting the drive on their own 7-yard line, the Cats used four plays to move the ball to the 24. On second-and-five, a curl pattern was caught near the sideline by McKenzie, who shook a tackle and outraced the Maine defense for a 76-yard touchdown. Batagglia’s extra point capped the scoring in the Vermont win, 20-12.
The Bears had an opportunity late to try and tie the score. With Vermont driving and the clock under five minutes, a handoff to Jack Dubuque was stripped by Maine at the Maine 8-yard line. Davison left the game with a knee injury, leaving backup, Chris Knox, with a fourth-and-two. But Knox converted, completing a pass to Sporogis and then completing a third-and-ten to Chris Ballesteros to get Maine to their own 42.
On third-and-three, Brian Trudell sacked Knox for a seven-yard loss, but then the officials called the next down third-and-ten instead of fourth-and-ten. A “third down” run gave Maine a fourth-and-one, and then a Vermont pass interference call gave Maine a first down at the Vermont 39 with 1:08 to play. Taggart Ramsey’s interception on the next play sealed the Vermont victory.
For Vermont, Drew Trombley was 11-of-19 for 249 yards, 2 TD’s, and 1 INT. Nate Goddard led Vermont rushers with eight carries for 48 yards and Sean McKenzie caught 2 passes for 114 yards and 2 scores. Vermont finished with 408 yards total offense: 136 rushing and 272 passing. Maine’s Brett Davison was 12-of-30 for 165 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT’s. Overall, the Black Bears had 242 yards total offense: 41 rushing and 201 passing.
Next week, Maine hosts the Mass Fury and the University of Vermont travel to face the Vermont Ravens. The two teams will face off again on October 27, 2007 at Buck Hard Field on the campus of Burlington High School in Vermont. Kickoff is set for 4:30 PM.
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FURY TOO MUCH FOR CATS, 35-14
In the battle of Northeast Independent Football League unbeatens, the University of Vermont Catamounts were defeated by the Mass Fury, 35-14 at Worcester State College on Sunday. The Catamounts (3-1) had no answer for Fury RB Marcus Price who wove his way through the Cats defense 18 times for 120 yards and two scores. The Fury is now 4-0.
The Catamounts actually started strong, driving to the Fury 7-yard line before a bad snap on a field goal attempt ended the drive. After forcing a Fury punt, UVM drove 80 yards in five plays to record the first score on a 30-yard touchdown pass to Tim Snow.
The Fury answered with an 80-yard drive of their own on the next series capped by a 10-yard pass from Ryan Minns to Danny Palacio. The Fury were in the end zone again minutes later after intercepting a Drew Trombley pass. The five play, 34-yard drive ended with another Minns TD pass, this time for 7-yards to Rayshawn Link.
Three plays later, Doug DeLuca hauled in a long pass from Trombley, broke a tackle, and sped into the end zone for a 79-yard touchdown. But there was no time to celebrate as Ryan Minns had the Fury on the march again before the half. Eight plays and 82-yards was all it took for the Fury to score again on Price’s first rushing touchdown from 15 yards out. The score at the half was Fury 21, Cats 14.
The Catamounts forced Mass Fury to punt on the first drive of the second half, but the punt was downed on the UVM 5-yard line. After a Trombley incompletion, the next pass was intercepted and run back to the UVM 3-yard line. Marcus Price took the next carry into the end zone for a 14-point Fury lead.
The Catamounts, now led by Quarterback Kyle Rickstead, were able to take the next drive to the Fury 24, but turned the ball over on downs. Another eight play drive for the Fury was finished off by Minns’ pass to TE Sean Phillips from 44-yards out.
Ryan Minns finished 10-of-13 for 141 yards and three touchdown passes, halfback Matt Miles had 10 carried for 63 yards and Sean Phillips hauled in 3 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. The Fury rushed for 193 yards and passed for 150 for a total of 343 yards total offense.
Drew Trombley finished 5-of-13 for 158 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions while Kyle Rickstead contributed 5-of-10 for 80 yards and one interception. Tim Snow caught 6 passes for 139 yards and Doug DeLuca added 2 for 85 yards and both caught a touchdown apiece. Nate Goddard led the Cats on the ground with 9 carries for 30 yards. UVM finished with 299 total yards: 238 in the air and 61 on the ground.
The Mass Fury next play on Sunday September 30 against the Exeter Gamblers (1-3) at James L. Landry Memorial Stadium in Amesbury, MA. The Catamounts have a week off before hosting the Central Maine Warriors (0-3) for their homecoming game at Buck Hard Field at Burlington High School in Vermont.
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OCTOBER 6 GAME CANCELLED
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 3, 2007
UVM CLUB FOOTBALL HOMECOMING CANCELLED
Central Maine Warriors Unable to Make Trip to Burlington
The University of Vermont Football Club, who were scheduled to play the Central Maine Warriors on Saturday October 6, was notified of a forfeit by the Warriors late last night. The forfeit victory pushes the Catamount’s record to 4-1 and will keep them in first place in the Northeast Independent Football League’s Western Division for another week. The win also assures the Catamounts of a playoff spot.
The Warriors, still winless on the season, were pounded by the University of Maine Club Team last weekend by a score of 75-0. Central Maine has managed only 6 points the entire season and has struggled every week to put a team together. The future of the Warriors is unclear at this time.
Central Maine was scheduled to be the Catamount’s opponent for UVM’s Parents Weekend and a large crowd of students, parents, and alumni were expected to be on hand. The Club attempted to fill the schedule by contacting several teams from the New England and Empire Football Leagues. Unfortunately for the Cats, all attempts fell short.
The Catamounts will resume their 2007 schedule on October 13 when they travel to Alfond Stadium on the campus of the University of Maine to play the Black Bears’ Club Team at 8:00 pm.
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UVM DEFENSE STELLAR IN 56-0 VICTORY
SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 VS. EXETER GAMBLERS AT BURLINGTON, VERMONT
Game Summary by Darren Haynes
Statistics by Brennan Jewett and Kyle Rickstead
Photos Courtesy of Todd Balfour/Balfour Studios
Another outstanding performance by the University of Vermont Catamount defense led to a 56-0 shutout of the Exeter Gamblers Saturday night at Burlington High School. Although the second-team defense played the majority of the game, seven different Catamount defenders recorded sacks and backup Free Safety Tyler Jackson ran two interceptions back for touchdowns.
The Catamounts received the opening kickoff, which was returned by WR Doug DeLuca 42 yards to the Exeter 43 yard line. RB Nate Goddard carried four times and finished the opening drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. A Gavin Battaglia kick made the score 7-0.
Two incompletion by the Gamblers and a sack by DE Justin Rhuda forced a punt that was fair caught by Tyler Jackson at the Exeter 37. Three plays later, QB Drew Trombley hit TE Tim Snow for a 22-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 14-0.
After failing a fourth down attempt, the Gamblers gave the Catamounts the ball again at the Exeter 40. The Catamounts reached the endzone again two plays later as Goddard scored his second touchdown; this time from 18-yards. Cats led after one quarter, 21-0.
The Gamblers got their initial first down on a questionable pass interference call, but were only able to move the ball to their own 45 before tuning over the ball on downs. The Gamblers defense was able to force UVM to punt, but then turned the ball over on downs once again after DE Brian Trudell sacked Brian Hawkins on the Exeter 11.
It only took UVM three plays to score, all runs by RB Adam Clark who scored from 2-yards out. DB Bryan Onyekaba intercepted Hawkins on the next play from scrimmage and returned it to the Exeter 10. The Cats got no points, however, as Battaglia’s 22-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
With 5:27 left in the first half, Jackson intercepted his first pass and ran it back 51-yards for a score. Battaglia’s kick made it a 35-0 halftime score.
It was more of the same in the second half: the Gamblers kept turning the ball over on downs and the Catamounts kept scoring. RB Dustin Degree took the Catamounts first play of the third quarter in for a 17-yard score, and three plays later Jackson ran a 25-yard interception back for a touchdown. FB Brett Rosenberg added a 6-yard touchdown midway through the fourth to cap the scoring.
“The score was a bit deceptive,” said Head Coach Darren Haynes. “Instead of punting, they continued to go for it on fourth down giving us great field position. When you only have 20 yards to go, you’d better score lots of touchdowns. I think that if they had punted more, the score would have been closer. Their defense played better than the score indicated. Overall, we were pleased to give our entire bench a chance to play.”
In the victory the Catamounts used 40 players, including three quarterbacks and five running backs. UVM has yet to allow a rushing touchdown all season and have not yielded any touchdowns in eleven consecutive quarters. The Catamount defense gave up only 11 total yards to Exeter and the Gamblers did not cross midfield once the entire game. Exeter’s only first down was awarded via penalty.
UVM travels to take on the 3-0 Mass Fury on Sunday September 23. This showdown of division leaders could likely determine which team has home field advantage throughout the playoffs. After a week off, the Catamounts return to Burlington on October 6 for a homecoming game against the Central Maine Warriors.
1 2 3 4 FINAL
Exeter (1-3) 0 0 0 0 0
Vermont (3-0) 21 14 14 7 56
Scoring Summary
QTR Team Result
1 Vermont Nate Goddard 9-yard run. (Gavin Battaglia kick)
1 Vermont Tim Snow 22-yard pass from Drew Trombley (Battaglia Kick)
1 Vermont Nate Goddard 18-yard run (Battaglia Kick)
2 Vermont Adam Clark 2-yard run (Battaglia Kick)
2 Vermont Tyler Jackson 51-yard interception return (Battaglia Kick)
3 Vermont Dustin Degree 17-yard run (Battaglia Kick)
3 Vermont Tyler Jackson 25-yard interception return (Battaglia Kick)
4 Vermont Brett Rosenburg 6-yard run (Battaglia Kick)
TEAM STATISTICS VERMONT EXETER
First Downs 4 1
Rushes-Yards 28-148 22-(-12)
Passing Yardage 22 23
Passes (Comp-Att-Int) 1-4-0 4-19-2
Total Offense 170 11
Punt Return Yards 0 0
Kick Return Yards 42
Total Yards 312
Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-1
Penalties-Yards
RUSHING: Vermont — Nate Goddard 8-101-2TD, Dustin Degree 6-27-TD, Adam Clark 6-14-TD, Brett Rosenberg 1-6-TD, Mark Rasmussen 2-6, Jack Dubuke 3-2, Mike Glynne 2-(-7); Exeter — Bill Hawkins 12-(-40),
PASSING: Vermont –Drew Trombley 1-2-22-0 TD, Mike Glynne 0-1-0-0, Doug DeLuca 0-1-0-0; Exeter – Bill Hawkins 4-19-23-2.
RECEIVING: Vermont – Tim Snow 1-22-TD; Exeter – Justin Fox 3-59, John Marlowe 1-12, Travis Schmaler 1-6
KICKING: Vermont – Gavin Battaglia 8-8 XP, 0-2 FG (blocked 22,32)
SACKS: Vermont —
INTERCEPTIONS: Vermont: Tyler Jackson 2-76-2TD, Bryan Onyekaba 1-15.
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!!! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED !!!
We still need volunteers for Event Staff at our first two home games of the season! To volunteer, please contact Doug DeLuca at 203-216-1988, or sign up at the ticket table on the day of the game!
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*** MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD COACH ***
First of all, let me say, "Thank You" to all of the fans and supporters that made our first home football game a great success. With over 2,100 tickets sold, it was the largest crowd in Vermont semi-pro football history!
We need your help to make sure the season continues to be a success. Please be aware that Burlington High School does not allow alcohol and smoking on premises and we have been made aware that some fans were smoking and drinking on premises.
While we want everyone to enjoy the football experience, we will no longer be allowing any outside food or drinks at home football games. The Burlington High School Booster Club will have refreshments for sale at the game for you to enjoy.
While I understand that this is a very unpopular decision, we do not want to hurt our relationship with BHS who has been gracious enough to allow us access to their facilities. Without their help, ther would be no UVM Club Football.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our program.
DARREN HAYNES
HEAD COACH
UVM CLUB FOOTBALL
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CATS WIN HOME OPENER, DOWN RAVENS, 9-3
Story Courtesy of Burlington Free Press: Sunday Sept. 9
Orwell's Nate Goddard rumbled 17-yards for the game's only touchdown with 7:50 to go in the fourth quarter to lift the University of Vermont's club team over the Vermont Ravens in a Northeast Independent Football League game at Buck Hard Field.
The game was scoreless until the fourth quarter when Gavin Battaglia kicked a 17-yard field goal to give UVM (2-0) the lead. The Ravens' Henry Moser answered with a 37-yard field goal to tie it at 3 before Goddard's touchdown gave the Catamounts the victory.
Both teams committed three turnovers in a sloppy first half. UVM picked up the win despite losing starting quarterback Rob Kimmell to an injury after the first quarter.
The Ravens are 0-2.
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Article in St. Michael's College ECHO
Posted: 09/05/07
“Undefeated since 1974”
The return of the University of Vermont football team
Alex McIntire | photo editor
amcintire@smcvt.edu
Doug Deluca runs first-year tryouts for the UVM football club.
(Alex McIntire, photo)
It’s been 33 years since the University of Vermont (UVM) celebrated its last National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) varsity football team. After its final season in 1974, the school could no longer support the team financially, making Vermont one of only two states in the country that doesn't claim a university football team (Alaska is the other).
Many students at UVM have come and gone, perhaps wishing for a team to support on Saturday afternoons. Doug Deluca, a UVM sophomore, has gone beyond wishing and has acted, putting together the first UVM football team since the mid-70s.
The new team is not considered a varsity squad, nor is it affiliated with the NCAA. It is a club team competing in the semi-professional Northeast Independent Football League, which is made up of other club teams including one other college team from the University of Maine.
Deluca’s project, which began last September as a first-year, has blossomed into a fully functional football team that is already 1-0 this season, defeating the North Berkshire Kings 17-12 on Saturday, Aug. 25.
Let there be football
Deluca, originally from Westford, Conn., looked into playing football at the NCAA level, as the sport has been a major part of his life. He wanted to continue playing the sport he has loved since the seventh grade, he says. However, finding a college that had a good business program was also a part of his college search, which eventually lead him to UVM.
Having heard that college club teams existed elsewhere in the country, Deluca decided to try and start a club team at his new school. Once he gained approval from the student government to start the team, there was no turning back.
“It took pretty much all of last year,” Deluca says. “It started at the end of last September, once I was all settled in, and even still there are a lot of issues and things we’re still dealing with to get this team going.”
As the club slowly formed, coaches were found and games were scheduled. Deluca’s year of hard work and effort finally paid off.
“He’s one of the sharpest kids I’ve ever met," says the club’s head coach Darren Haynes. “He’s done almost all of the work, probably 90 percent of it. And to be a freshman with a full course load, and take on now being the club president, player, and to have a job on campus is just unbelievable.”
Members of the UVM football club pose for a photo.
(Alex McIntire, photo)
Financial issues
While having a football club is one step closer to having a NCAA team, there is no shortage of future steps required to take the team to the varsity level, UVM Athletic Director Bob Corran says.
The biggest issue in making the large step from club to varsity is money. Currently, the team’s budget from the Student Government Association is $12,000, according to Deluca. The majority of their funds have come from donations, including one hefty donation of $18,000 from an unnamed alumnus, Deluca says.
“We’ve gotten great support and obviously the donations won’t come forever,” Deluca says. “But we’d like to become popular in the community and I’d really love to get well-known in the area and if we can get good attendance at the games that should definitely help us do well in the future.”
The $40,000 in total that the club has accumulated has been enough to purchase equipment, acquire facilities,and pay liability insurance, but according to Corran, the amount of money that it would take to turn varsity is unrealistic at this time. He estimates that it would cost $30 to $40 million to get an NCAA team off of the ground. Because of Title-9, a federal stipulation prohibiting gender discrimination in school athletic departments, it would also mean having to add about 100 roster spots on women’s sports teams as well.
“From a financial standpoint, it’s really one of the least economically viable sports in the NCAA,” Corran says. “All and all, it’s just a mountain that is so high for us to even attempt to climb.”
Community reaction
Tim Snow dawns his UVM club football shirt.
(Alex McIntire, photo)
Deluca and the club are aware that a future involving the NCAA is far away. He realizes the size of the investment involved and that the University is not prepared to take that kind of step, but that’s also not why the club was created.
“I’d just like to stir up some excitement for (the team) and get kids excited,” Deluca says. “It’d be great just to have a good fan base and have people look forward to going to a game on Saturday night in the fall.”
Getting students on campus interested in the club was not a difficult task, Deluca says. A large turnout at interest meetings held last spring proved the club was a hit with students. There have been enough people interested for the club that Deluca has had to hold tryouts. The Northeast Independent Football League the club plays in only allows 35 players to dress. Because of this rule and the lack of equipment, the club has to keep their numbers down to between 40 and 50 players, Deluca says.
Around the UVM campus, Deluca says, there has been a solid response.
“We’ve been getting a good reaction,” he says. “I think a lot of people want to see football, whether it’s at the University of Vermont or just in Vermont.”
Corran says he agrees and values the efforts of Deluca and others involved.
“Any time there is an active student group or a competitive club, that only makes the quality of life on campus that much better,” he says. “It’s another opportunity for students to stay involved and another good thing for the campus.”
The UVM club football team will play its second game and first home game of the 2007 season at Burlington High School on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. against the Vermont Ravens.
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CATAMOUNTS WIN OPENER
What opened as aerial show ended in a defensive slugfest, but the University of Vermont Football Club held on to win their debut 17-12 over the Northern Berkshire Kings at Applejack Field in Manchester, VT. The game, played at the semi-professional level under the direction of the Northeast Independent Football League, was the first football game played entirely by UVM student-athletes in 33 years.
The Catamounts opened on defense, and yielded no yards on a three-and-out drive by the Kings. After a 3-yard punt return by sophomore wide receiver Doug DeLuca, the Catamount offense went to work. On the seventh play of the drive junior quarterback Rob Kimmel hit junior tight end Tim Snow over the middle for a 12-yard touchdown. Kimmel was 3-for-3 on the drive for 60 yards, all to Snow, and the Pat Willis extra point gave Vermont a 7-0 lead.
Another three-and-out by Vermont’s defense gave the Cats the ball again at their own 25. After a short loss and a penalty, Kimmel dropped to pass on a second-and-19 and was struck in the knee by a Berkshire helmet. Kimmel left the game 3-for-4 for 60 yards and a touchdown and did not return.
Sophomore Drew Trombley’s first pass for the Cats was intercepted by Berkshire and returned to the UVM 22. On the next play, King’s quarterback Patrick Knight threw into blanket coverage, but wide receiver Justin Fox tore the ball away from cornerback Bryan Onyekaba, and shot into the endzone for a Northern Berkshire touchdown. The two-point conversion failed and UVM led 7-6.
There was miscommunication on the ensuing kickoff and, while the Catamounts waited to see if the ball would roll out of bounds, Berkshire pounced on the ball and recovered it at the UVM 24. The Kings went to work with another short field, but UVM held tough and sophomore defensive tackle Henry Beckwith sacked Knight on a fourth-and-goal to end the drive.
On the next play, junior halfback Dustin Degree gained eight yards and then fumbled. The ball was scooped up by the Kings and returned 28 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, and the Kings led at the end of the first quarter, 12-7.
Vermont answered on the next drive. After DeLuca ran the kickoff back to the UVM 36-yard line, he hauled in a 37-yard pass from Trombley to put the Cats at the Berkshire 10-yard line. Two plays later, sophomore running back Dan Chase blasted in from the five giving the Cats the lead again, 14-12.
Late in the first half, a DeLuca 35-yard punt return gave UVM the ball at the Berkshire 17. Unable to move much further, senior Pat Willis added a field goal for a 17-12 halftime lead.
While the Catamounts continued to move the ball in the second half, they were unable to put up any points. Willis missed a 31-yard attempt at the beginning of the third quarter and had a 33-yarder blocked in the fourth.
Berkshire threatened once more late in the fourth quarter. With 5:35 on the clock, Knight threw two incompletions and then connected with Fox on the left sideline for a 38-yard gain to the UVM 15. But after moving only one yard afterward, Knight was sacked by sophomore defensive end Justin Rhuda to end the drive with 2:17 left in the game.
Junior running back Nate Goddard iced the win for UVM after the two-minute warning with three consecutive rushes and a first down. Trombley took a knee, and the Catamounts got their first football victory since 1974.
After the game, Catamounts Head Coach, Darren Haynes, said, “It’s great to get such a hard fought victory to start not only our season but our program as well. That being said, you could definitely tell that we’ve only had nine practices. We had a lot of setbacks today. We lost our starting quarterback, we gave up a touchdown on a fumble, lost a kickoff, had a field goal blocked, and had a few too many penalties. But in every case, we found the resolve to keep fighting, and I’m proud of these young men for showing the maturity to win a game like this one.”
UVM has a week off before hosting the Vermont Ravens at Burlington High School on September 8. This week the Club will be hosting tryouts for incoming freshmen and transfer students at the Redstone Campus.
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Peter Freyne's Blog at Seven Days
Check out what Seven Days columnist Peter Freyne had to say about the team on his blog:
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Football Returns to UVM!
So I’m driving home from Seven Days on Tuesday evening. Another weekly "Inside Track" miracle in the can. Heading south along Prospect Street and I’m cruising past the Redstone Campus. It’s about 7 p.m. and a beautiful Burlington sunset.
Had noticed the UVM students returning to the apartment blocks around downtown over the past couple days. It goes with the season. But I was not prepared for what I saw on the big lawn of Redstone - a football team practicing - a college football team!
See, there hasn’t been a college football team at UVM since 1974 - that’s before the college students of the present were even conceived, yet alone born.
Had to check it out. Was it a mirage?
Nope.
It was one of the very first practices of the UVM Club Football Team. Yes, University of Vermont football!
They’re playing in a semi-pro league and have an 8-game schedule...and a website. First game is Saturday in Manchester, VT against the Northern Berkshire Kings.
Some have previous college football experience, said injured tailback Dustin Degree, who played a season at Norwich. And some, said Dustin, the team spokesman, have never played organized football before.
Home games will be played at Buck Hard Field at Burlington High School.
The team will practice at Redstone and on the UVM Rugby Field.
One day - the Catamount Coliseum?
Something about seeing these guys in pads and helmets smacking into one another at Redstone made this old dog feel like a miracle was happening before his eyes.
UVM football. Wow!
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Posted on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at Peter Freyne's Blog at Seven Days: http://7d.blogs.com/freyneland/2007/08/football-return.html
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Cats on ESPN Radio
July 31, 2007 --
Our ESPN Radio affiliate, WCAT 1390 AM, will boroadcast four UVM Club Football games this season:
September 8 vs. the Vermont Ravens
October 6 vs. Central Maine Warriors
October 21 at Vermont Ravens
October 27 vs. University of Maine
We are excited to be a part of the ESPN 1390 lineup!
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Vermont Sports Network Article
July 24, 2007 --
UNDEFEATED!
Jul 21, 2007 at 08:54 PM -- Contributed by Vermont Sports Network
For 34 years, Vermont Football has been dead. In mere weeks, it will rise from the, well, foliage when The Fightin' Catamounts take the field for preseason practice. We caught up with the club's founder (and wide receiver), sophomore Doug DeLuca, who was gracious enough to answer our questions. For more information, go to uvmclubfootball.com.
CC: When did you start planning the resurgence of Vermont football? Was it before you even became a student? What were the first steps that you took? What kind of feedback did you get from fellow students? Who was the first person to step forward and say: 'I want to suit up for The Fightin' Catamounts?'
DD: I came to UVM with the idea of investigating the start up of a club football team. I knew that club football existed in other parts of the country, but had little knowledge about how they were run and what it took to start a football team. I started investigating what needed to be done in late September 2006 after I had settled in at UVM. I spoke with the Club Sports Director and the Student Government Association to get more details about starting up a club. The biggest concerns were competition and funding. I discovered that the University of Maine had a club, and immediately looked into joining the league they were in which is the Northeast Independent Football League. This is a club or “semi-pro” league based throughout New England. That took care of our competition. I held an interest meeting in November and about 40 guys showed up. There were many very enthusiastic players who wanted to suit up again, and get on the field. It was great to see such an interest.
CC: Let's back track, why did Vermont die in the first place?
DD: I cannot say exactly why the school cancelled the program in 1974, but I believe that it was mostly an economical decision at the time. The UVM Football team was not doing too well on the field, and the school wanted to invest more money in sports like basketball and hockey.
CC: How have alums reacted? What's the most enthusiastic response that you got from alum?
DD: I have received a great reaction from football loving alumni, friends, and Burlington residents. The UVM Football Alumni have been more than enthusiastic about football returning to UVM, even if it is only on the club level. The most enthusiastic response I received was from an avid football fan and former UVM player David Gemelli. He called me up one day and couldn’t stop talking about the possibilities of what this may be able to do for the school. He was also generous enough to supply us with a donation to get us off the ground.
CC: Has President Fogel addressed the team? How about Dr. Corran?
DD: In general, club sports do not really interact with the UVM Athletic Department. I believe that the UVM Club Football team had to be approved by the Athletic Department, and Dr. Corran was addressed with the issue. The Athletic Department placed certain requirements on the team, and as long as we followed those, the Athletic Dept. will approve and support UVM Club Football. I have heard that President Fogel is a big football fan from his college days at LSU. I know President Fogel knows about the team, and I have heard that he is excited about the prospect of the club. I hope to see him at our home games.
CC: Has Woj offered any words of wisdom? If so, please share. Has he offered to broadcast some of the games via radio or internet or even podcast?
DD: I have not gotten the chance to speak with Chris Wojcik about the UVM Club Football. I would hope that he is supportive of the program, and hopefully he will offer to broadcast our games. We have already gotten an offer from ESPN Radio 1390, which covers the Frost Heaves and the Vermont Ice Storm. It would be great to have both Chris and ESPN Radio at the games.
CC: As far as getting started, what were the biggest obstacles? What steps did you take to solve them?
DD: The biggest obstacles in getting the club team started were many people’s concerns about safety and liability. The Risk Management Department. and the Medical Director at the Center of Healthcare and Wellbeing have both expressed extensive concerns about club football at the university. To satisfy the concerns of both parties, the SGA has taken on a new type of insurance coverage, which covers all of the club sports and will better insure the university. The UVM Club Football team will also be hiring full- time trainers to cover the players by request of the Medical Director. Other club sports do not have to do this. However, it is the best thing for the safety of the players.
CC: We know you had some practices last spring. How many players showed up? Do you have a kicker? What kind of drills did you do?
DD: Last spring we had practices every Saturday for the month of April, and the last weekend in May. During these practices, we ran various agility drills, and began to get the team in a football mindset. We started learning the beginnings of the playbook, and running the offense and defense. Every weekend about, 40-50 players showed up. We have solid players on both sides of the ball, including kickers.
CC: Talk about the coaches. Who are they? What's their style? Is it more Lonergan or Brennan?
DD: Our head coach is Darren Haynes. He is a teacher in South Burlington, but is originally from Louisiana. He was a QB at LSU and knows the game of football very well. He has drawn up the offensive and defensive playbook, which both look great. We should be very competitive with what we have. Coach Haynes is definitely more Brennan style. We have a solid playbook, but look more to the players to get fired up and get things done. Coach wants this to be something each kid loves to do, and wants more than anything to be on the sideline representing UVM.
We have two assistant coaches. Ian Stroud is our line coach. He is a former lineman from Arkansas State. David Motherway is our TE/Special Teams coach.
CC: Talk about the players. How much experience do they have? Have any played college before?
DD: We have a wide variety of experience and skill on the football team right now. We have guys with college experience, and guys with no experience at all. It’s going to be interesting coming into pre-season and seeing what they can do. We haven’t practiced in pads yet, so everything is still up in the air, but we do have some standout players up on the depth chart already. Some of our players have had experience at Norwich, Endicott, and Concordia. We also have several standout high school athletes. Many are local Vermonters!
CC: A playbook has been written. What kind of offense will the team utilize?
DD: The team will be running a multiple west coast offense, and a 4-3 defense.
CC: How often will the team practice during the school year?
DD: For our first year, we are scheduled to have two full pad team practices with coaches each week. However, the guys on the team will definitely be working hard all week long. As a club sport, due to limited facilities, you only get two official practices a week. So, that’s just what we have to work with right now. We do have a pre-season scheduled to start August 13 in which we will have two a days the first week, and practice every day the second.
CC: Are there any scrimmages scheduled against Middlebury and Norwich or any college teams for that matter?
DD: We have discussed the idea of scheduling a scrimmage against a Middlebury or Norwich. However, we feel that we wouldn’t be ready to compete with them this year. Perhaps next year when the team is more solidified, we will feel ready to schedule a game like that.
CC: Where will the team play their home games? What will admission be?
DD: The team is scheduled to have our four home games at Burlington High School. They are on September 8, September 15, October 6, and October 28. All of the games except the October 28th game are at 7 pm on Saturday night.
As of right now, general admission is going to be $5. However, we will most likely be setting up a lower student rate with UVM ID. We plan on having a raffle set up, and a merchandise table. Burlington High School will most likely be running concessions as well in case any one gets hungry.
CC: Will your singing group perform at half time? While we're on the subject, you're a pretty dynamic guy - singing and football. What do they share in common?
DD: We plan on hosting a couple of the UVM clubs at our games. The UVM Dance Team, and the Catamount Dance Team have expressed interest in performing at the games. I sing in the UVM Top Cats, but will not be participating in the group during the fall. We do plan to have them sing the National Anthem at our games. It would be a hard balance between school, football, and singing, but I plan to re-join the group after the season is over.
Not many people may be able to connect football and singing, but in my experience, I have found they can be quite similar. When you sing in a small group like the Top Cats, you do find that same sort of camaraderie that you find when you play on a team sport like football.
CC: Going into the preseason, what is your greatest concern?
DD: I think that my biggest concern is how we are going to be up front. The team has a lot of good skilled position players. We have QB’s, RB’s, WR’s DB’s and LB’s, but are lacking those “big-boys.” While we have a couple of solid lineman, I’m not sure that we have all the experience and skill that we are going to need. Linemen are one of the most important, if not the most important, part of a football team. I’m hoping that the incoming freshman class may be able to offer us a couple guys who might be 6’3, 280lbs. Something like that.
CC: If you want to add anything, the floor is yours.
DD: I know that we are just a club football team, but I believe that this is something that the university has wanted for a long time. Vermont’s the only state besides Alaska without a football team to represent it. There’s no telling what the university will do with this club. It could go varsity, or just stay a club forever. Either way, I think that it will be great to be able to offer students the chance to play or just watch football at UVM. I know that there are many people looking forward to this upcoming season, and I am definitely looking forward to suiting up and getting back on the field. I hope to see everyone at the games supporting the team! I think that it is going to be a lot of fun for everyone.
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CATAMOUNTS TO BE GUESTS OF NY GIANTS
July 14, 2007 --
CATAMOUNTS FOOTBALL TEAM TO BE GUESTS AT GIANTS CAMP
The University of Vermont Football Club is proud to announce that the Football Cats will be the guests of the New York Football Giants at training camp in Albany, New York.
The Football Club, the first football team at UVM since the 1974 season, will leave the UVM campus at 11:45 AM on Friday August 17, 2007 and arrive at the University of Albany campus at approximately 2:00 PM. Once there, the Cats will observe training camp practices from field level and then have face time with one NY Giants coach and one player immedately following practice.
We are very excited to have been invited to see and meet the NY Giants. This should be a wonderful way to kick-off an exciting 2007 season. To the members of the New York Football Giants, we say thank you and we are looking forward to seeing you on the 17th.
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Rutland Herald/Times Argus Article
Article published Jul 1, 2007
Football returning to the University of Vermont after 33-year hiatus
BURLINGTON — Football is back at the University of Vermont.
That statement should send tremors through your mother's preserves, after more than three decades without one of America's most popular collegiate sports at UVM.
But for the first time since 1974, University of Vermont student/athletes will don the green and gold uniforms and represent the college on the gridiron.
There's somewhat of a hitch, however.
It's not Division I-A or even I-AA football. It's not NCAA football at all, but club football in the semiprofessional Northeast Independent Football League.
"I really don't care if it's a club team," said Darren Haynes, who will serve as the Catamounts' head coach. "Finally football, in some form, has come back to UVM."
Since UVM axed the football program, citing a series of woeful seasons, the high cost of running the program and a renewed emphasis on academics, there have been attempts to bring back the program.
Those who have questioned why the football program has not been reinstated point to the fact that there are only two state universities in the United States that don't support a football team, UVM and the University of Alaska. All the state universities in the rest of the lower 48 states and Hawaii support football programs.
And while there have been attempts to restore the program the cost seems to be the major drawback. UVM Athletic Director Bill Corran is reported to have said that the cost could be tens of millions of dollars. UVM would be required to play a Division I-AA schedule, hire an extensive coaching staff, award scholarships and build a multi-million dollar stadium to pass NCAA muster.
Even with a renewed emphasis on athletics and the upgrading of several of UVM's athletic programs, the obstacles remain formidable.
But when UVM hosts its first football game on Saturday, Sept. 8, it won't be a rabid band of alumni, or a groundswell of the Vermonters, or some wealthy and prominent citizen who is responsible, but a 19-year-old freshman student.
Doug DeLuca doesn't even hail from Vermont but from Westport, Conn. He played football at the Hopkins School in New Haven, Conn., and said it was "a great experience."
"I've been playing football since I was 12 and I was pretty much into it in high school," DeLuca said in a telephone interview. "And I wanted to play in college."
But there was a problem when it came to college choice. He wanted to go to a university with a good business school. He liked the feel of UVM, the size was right and the business school suited his needs, but it had no football program.
"I got here and had an idea: Why can't we start a club?" he said. "They have club football at the University of Maine. They also have it at UNC (North Carolina), Clemson, Xavier and Marquette. After I got settled, I began to make inquiries as to how to start one up."
He called several meetings to gauge the interest, wrote up a business plan and had T-shirts printed up that read: "UVM Football Undefeated since 1974". He approached the Student Government Association in January to seek official recognition of the club and requested $26,000 to help with start-up costs.
Ultimately he received recognition and the SGA supported the club with a grant of $11,000. He then held another meeting to see how many people would join — it costs each participant a $150 club fee — and begin the process of finding a coach.
Naturally there were detractors and they tried to convince DeLuca that his scheme wouldn't work. He felt that the biggest hindrance to his plans were money and safety concerns.
"Hey, football is played all over the country, why not at UVM?" DeLuca said. "The money thing will work itself out and when we got the safety concerns straight, I figured that this was the right time and the right place."
DeLuca estimates that it will cost around $50,000 for this football season and that would include $33,000 for equipment for 60 players — full sets of pads, game jerseys/pants and practice gear, helmets and footballs. Then there is game-day expenses and travel.
What he has now is the money granted from the SGA, $7,500 from club fees and some "generous donations" from alumni. He is approaching community groups and individuals and has developed a sponsor's kit on the team's Web site.
"I expect to make a profit," said DeLuca, who estimates he could clear as much as $14,000.
DeLuca took on doing the legwork to start it up, is serving as the president of the club and actually administering the club, all because he wanted to play football in college. So on fall Saturdays, he will cast off the figurative business suit of the executive and don the pads and a No. 81 UVM jersey and run onto the field as a wide receiver.
"It's a little bit of a balancing act between work and football," he said. "Coach Haynes is a great help. But this is really a lot of enjoyment for me and on Saturdays it will pay off because I get to dress."
Haynes is an equally interesting story.
He came from a football factory Brother Martin High School in New Orleans and made the Louisiana State University team as a walk-on quarterback in 1987, spending most of the year running the scout team. But big-time college football was overwhelming and he claimed it skewed his priorities.
He went on to play semipro football in Louisiana and had terrific success, throwing 30 TD passes in one season, while going to college and working toward a degree.
In 1996 he moved to Vermont and teaches in South Burlington. He became involved as an assistant coach at Champlain Valley Union when the Redhawks started up their football program and was associated with the Vermont Ice Storm during their inaugural season of 2001.
Haynes assembled a coaching staff, wrote the playbook and organized six spring practices. Because UVM football has club status it is guaranteed two practices a week on a university field. The UVM club will open fall practice Aug. 13 at the UVM rugby field.
The team's Web site lists a roster of 50 players already on board, including several Vermonters.
It will play in the N.I.F.L., a seven-team Class A semipro loop in the second year of its existence. The league spun off the highly successful New England Football League, which includes Class AAA, AA and A teams.
The N.I.F.L. includes the University of Maine Black Bears, a collegiate club team like UVM. The Catamounts will play in the league's Western Division, which includes the Vermont Ravens, another startup team, and the Northern Berkshire Kings.
At this point, it's uncertain where the UVM team will play its home games. DeLuca said he has verbal commitment from Burlington High School to use the newly renovated Buck Hard Field and ideally that is where the Catamounts would like to play this season. They have already received the go-ahead to use Essex High School, Rice Memorial and South Burlington High School and if Buck Hard Field is not made available, they may use a combination of those fields for their home games.
"We would love to play at Centennial and that would be a tremendous coup," Haynes said of the field off Colchester Avenue where the original UVM Catamounts played home games.
Both DeLuca and Haynes said that the team has stirred considerable interest and buzz in the Burlington area and the UVM community. Some alums have stepped up with donations and others have promised support.
Could a successful run of the UVM Catamounts football club ultimately prompt the university to reinstate the football program?
"That's totally out of our hands, that's up to the Trustees and the Athletic Department," Haynes said. "But it has generated a lot of excitement; some people have told us that it is like a breath of fresh air. It could be a win-win situation for the community and the university if we do really well. And the athletic department can look at us objectively without having to risk anything."
Contact Chuck Clarino at chuck.clarino@rutlandherald.com
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Coaches Needed for 2007
The Football Club is still looking for volunteer coaches for the 2007 season. Previous coaching experience is preferred, but not nessecary.
We are looking for coaches at the following positions:
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
If you're interested, please contact Coach Haynes at: darrenandbetsy@aol.com .
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MOTHERWAY NAMED HEAD COACH
February 6, 2008 --
Although it has not been announced to the public, it is widely suspected that Catamounts Tight Ends and Special Teams coach, David Motherway, has been elevated to head coach of the Catamounts for 2008.
Motherway succeeds coach Darren Haynes as the Catamounts search for a "new direction". After a 5-3 regular season under Haynes, the Catamounts were defeated in the semi-finals of the Northeast Independent Football League (NIFL) playoffs by the Vermont Ravens. Expectations are high for 2008 as the Cats return 20 of 22 starters and they are considered poised to make another NIFL championship run.
One new direction, that has been reported by a source close to the team, is that the wide open West Coast Offense of 2007 has been replaced by a triple option offense. There has not been any word yet on whether the Cats will also change their attacking 4-3 defense in favor of a different structure. Either way, Coach Motherway has already put his stamp on the 2008 Catamounts.
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Burlington Free Press Article
Football at UVM? You betcha'
By Ed Shamy
June 3, 2007
Where were we, University of Vermont football fans? Oh, yeah, Nov. 16, 1974 and we got shellacked 41-15 in Springfield, Mass., by American International College. It was a game played under a cloud of gloom. Quarterback Bob Bateman got sacked over and over again, UVM fumbled five times and 20 days later university trustees did exactly what everybody knew they were going to do — they eliminated football as an intercollegiate sport.
To many students and alumni, football's banishment was a blow to the college-spirit solar plexus. Whether or not you enjoy or even approve of large men in plastic pads and tight pants careening into one another at high speed, football is part of our culture. There has gaped at UVM an athletic maw since football was sacked.
When Larry Lockwood scored the last-ever UVM touchdown on a one-yard run that day in 1974, Doug DeLuca hadn't been born yet, not by a long shot.
He's only 19 now, a Westport, Conn., boy barely out of his freshman year at UVM.
He faced a tough decision picking a college. He wanted to continue playing football as he had in high school, but he wanted even more to get a good education in business.
He enrolled at UVM with the understanding that his days as a wide receiver might be over.
But a few weeks into the semester, he saw possibilities.
DeLuca organized an interest meeting on campus and 40 guys turned out. He met with the club-sports director at the university. He made a pitch to student government, established bylaws, inquired about opponents, asked Chittenden County high schools if their fields were available, contacted alumni.
"I've been working on it all year, since October," he said last week. "Things take forever at school. I'm new at this."
New, maybe. But who knew that a 19-year-old could meet with risk-management experts and scheme insurance plans? Pitch the plan to potential sponsors? Who knew that he could offer a $1,500 flat fee to high schools willing to let UVM use their fields, while the football team would get the entire gate and the schools could benefit from concession sales?
Essex, Rice Memorial and South Burlington high schools are willing to deal with mogul DeLuca on those terms. Burlington is still considering.
DeLuca emerged as a wunderkind, shouldering the front office responsibilities and working the phones.
He's working at a New York City internship this summer, but he still comes back to Burlington on the occasional weekday to iron out the final details.
On Aug. 25, DeLuca's efforts bear fruit. The UVM Tackle Football Club -- the fightin' Catamounts -- is scheduled to play the Vermont Ravens, another startup, in Barre.
Outfitted in new green and gold uniforms with UVM helmets underwritten to the tune of $18,000 by a football-loving alumnus, the team will compete in the Northeast Independent Football League against six other teams in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Student government at UVM will contribute another $11,000. That still leaves founder, general manager and wide receiver DeLuca with about $10,000 to raise. Given what he's been through, he's undaunted.
He's fueled by early success. There are four volunteer coaches, one of whom has already written offensive and defensive playbooks for team members to study in the summer months. There were a few indoor spring practices. First practice is scheduled for Aug. 13. The final insurance wrinkles are being worked out, though DeLuca admits that the final details are causing him sleepless nights.
"I really am looking forward to just putting on the pads and hitting somebody. I am really stressed out because now I've reached some obstacles like the insurance I just can't control," he said. UVM administrators are responsible for arranging for the required insurance coverage.
The 5-foot, 8-inch speedster out of Connecticut thinks the addition of tackle football, even as a club, can appeal to a long hidden portion of the UVM community.
"UVM is a great school. This can make it a little bit better-rounded," he said.
He's leaving no detail to chance; he's even thinking already about halftime entertainment. First up could be a campus a cappella group DeLuca knows of. He sings with them.
Imagine Saturday night home games, the green and gold dashing through the stadium tunnel to the roar of an appreciative crowd.
Even if Doug DeLuca drops every pass thrown his way and hits a sour note during the halftime show, he will have earned a free ride into the Hall of Fame.
Ed Shamy's column appears Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 660-1862 or eshamy@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com
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COACHING CHANGE FOR 2008
January 2, 2008 - 09:15 PM --
The New Year will probably bring a new head coach to the Vermont Catamounts Club team as I, coach Darren Haynes, recieved the news tonight that I am being let go. The representative from the UVM Club Football Team, that I spoke to at length, refused to disclose the reasons for the change saying only that the Club, "wishes to go in another direction".
Needless to say, I am shocked by the revelation and am curious as to the teams "new direction".
For the record, I do not wish to be replaced by the Catamounts, but I have been told that the possibility of my return is slim to none. I do, however, respect their decision and wish them well in the future. The 2007 season was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. I have not been around such an enthusiastic goup of players since my days at LSU and I will miss them all.
Since I maintain this entirely alone, I am not sure if I will continue to update the site in the future. I have been informed that the new website will be located at: www.uvmfootball.com.
I hope that the enthusiasm and excitement of and for UVM football continues to grow. To my former players, good luck, and the fans and supporters, thank you for a great 2007.
- Darren Haynes
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