Three Garner National Recognition by VSN
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–Make some more room in the trophy case for the 2010 football campaign as the Victory Sports Network announced its ninth annual NAIA All-American football teams today.
Offensive lineman Steven Dawley (Sr., New Sharon, North Mahaska HS) was named to VSN’s first team, while defensive lineman Dale Woods (Sr., Southaven, Miss., Northwest Mississippi CC) collected honorable-mention status. Penn Head Coach Todd Hafner picked up arguably the biggest honor, however, being tabbed as NAIA Coach of the Year.
Dawley’s accolade is his third All-America award ever, including first-team honors by the AFCA this fall as well as in 2008.
One of 29 first-teamers, Dawley was the catalyst on an offense that not only broke numerous school records, but most notably shattered the NAIA’s single-season mark for rushing yards (4,476) and rushing yards per attempt (6.9).
Penn (10-1, 6-1 Midwest League) also snapped school marks for points in a game (70) and season (486), yards in a game (672) and season (5,377), and rushing yards in a game (607).
Penn rushed for over 500 yards in a game twice and had a season low of just 250 yards. The squad rushed for 58 touchdowns this fall.
Woods, now a two-time All-American by VSN (second team in 2009), was double-teamed for much of the year, but still managed 42 tackles (two for loss) with one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup.
Hafner, the MWL Coach of the Year, guided the Statesmen to a school record-tying ten wins and a share of the league crown, its first since 1976 and fifth overall. The head skipper just finished his seventh year and owns a career record of 43-35 (four winning seasons), including going 24-10 the previous three campaigns.
Prior to his tenure in Oskaloosa, the Penn football program endured year after year of losing, posting a meager 24-116 mark from 1990-2003.
“It is a truly remarkable thing that Coach Hafner has done at William Penn,” VSN President and Founder Jason Dannelly said. “He has built William Penn into a program that is competing at the highest level of the NAIA.”
VSN Offensive Player of the Year honors were awarded to wide receiver Jon Ryan of Sioux Falls (S.D.), while Defensive POY laurels went to linebacker Thomas Dolan of Carroll (Mont.). Nick Howlett, the Offensive Coordinator at Carroll, was picked as Assistant Coach of the Year, while Jay Stancil of Union (Ky.) received the Media Person/SID of the Year award.
The VSN awards are determined by Dannelly with assistance from a committee of NAIA coaches.
Wade Steinlage
