USD Football 1997

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Pioneer Football League

◄-• R 1oneer ootball league

The 1997 football season marks the fifth year for the Pioneer Football League (PFL), a conference committed to operating a quality football program for the benefit of the student-athletes and the university community. Formed in November of 1991, the Pioneer Football League is comprised of NCAA Division I universities that previously sponsored intercollegiate football at other levels. With the passing of NCAA legislation at the January 1991 convention, Division I institutions were required to conduct all intercollegiate sports at the same level. Therefore, the five charter members, Butler University, University of Dayton, Drake University, University of Evansville and Valparaiso University, joined together, sharing a common academic and athletic philosophy and a common commitment to operate quality football programs. In February, 1992, the University ofSan Diegojoined the PFL for its inaugural season. The PFL joins the Ivy and the Patriot Leagues as NCAA Division I-AA conferences that provide only need-based financial aid for football players. The conference remains a proponent of NCAA Division I-AAA legislation that would develop a classification for Division I football programs operating with need-based aid and adopted the moniker of Pioneer based on the intent to become one of the first I-AAA leagues. '96 PF/, FIRST TEA iH OFFENSE

'96 PFL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM OFFENSE Nick Batalis, Butler Eric Goebel, Evansville Chad Heying, Drake Trent Huelsman, Dayton Kevin Johns, Dayton John Khamis, San Diego Josh Lemmon, Dayton Brian McKenna, Evansville Lucas Marrs, Butler Russ Pesavento, Evansville Stephen Pettit, Drake Charlie Schimberg, Drake

'96 PFL SECOND TEAM OFFENSE Dylan Ching, San Diego, WR Dan Paulick, Dayton, WR Vince Tweddell, Evansville, WR

Rob Berkley, Drake, WR Pat Hugar, Dayton, WR Mike Tolbert, Valparaiso, WR Felix Gallagher, Drake, OL Tom Fravel, Evansville, OL Curt Lemmberbrock, Dayton, OL Josh Lemmon, Dayton, OL Nate Schneider, Drake, OL Kevin Johns, Dayton, QB Sean Bennett, Evansville, RB Evan Hlavacek, San Diego, RB Nairn Sanders, Butler, RB Ryan Hulme, Dayton, RB Tim Roth, San Diego, PK John Harrington, Valparaiso, DL Rich Schuckman, Dayton, DL Jace Smrcka, Drake, DL Sean Gorius, Dayton, LB Jim Homoki, Dayton, LB John Kuenster, Drake, LB Nick Winings, Butler, LB Jeb Dougherty, San Diego, DB B.J. Hellyer, Drake, DB Ronnie Sazone, Valparaiso, DB JeffVerhoff, Dayton, DB Mike Buhler, San Diego, P DEFENSE Ron Griswold, Butler, DL

Nick Batalis, Butler, OL Zack Cline, Dayton, OL Joel Cutler, Dayton, OL

Eric Rodbro, Valparaiso, OL Jon Walker, San Diego, OL Eric Goebel, Evansville, QB Jason Grove, Drake, RB Charlie Schimberg, Drake, RB Chad Lindsey, Dayton, RB DEFENSE Buddy Brown, San Diego, DL Brad Fultz, Drake, DL Ryan Marcos, San Diego, DL Pete Wehman, Dayton, DL Anthony Fuller, Drake, LB Robert Magnuson, San Diego, LB Chris Stewart, Valparaiso, LB Ike Anigbo, Valparaiso, DB Bumper McKinley, Dayton, DB Jeramy Fisher, Drake, DB Mark Thomas, Evansville, DB Matt Sneller, Drake, P

Nate Schneider, Drake Mike Stylksi, Dayton Vince Tweddell, Evansville DEFENSE Eric Belcher, Dayton Mike Buhler, San Diego Jeb Dougherty, San Diego Jeramy Fisher, Drake Eric Gardner, Evansville Ryan Larson, San Diego Ryan Menke, Evansville Jeff Michalczyk, Drake Ronnie Sazone, Valparaiso Sean Gorius, Dayton Jim Homoki, Dayton

Jace Smrcka, Drake Jeff Verhoff, Dayton Pete Wehman, Dayton