Nov. 27, 2007

Somerset, NJ - Senior running back Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) was named the Northeast Conference's Offensive Player of the Year today, highlighting a stellar day for the Wagner College football program as the conference office announced that five Seahawk players earned seven first-team accolades.

Butler is the fifth Seahawk to earn an All-NEC major award. Rick Sarille was Offensive Player of the Year in 1996 and 1999. Mike Steed was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1996 while in 1997 Daryn Plummer was Defensive Rookie of the Year. The 1996 Defensive Player of the Year was Bill Sommers.

Senior kicker/punter Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ/Keyport) was named a first team selection in both kicking specialties he shouldered for the Seahawks. This marks the third straight year Czech has earned an All-NEC honor as he was named first-team all-NEC kicker and second-team punter in 2006. In 2005, Czech was also tabbed a second-team All-NEC punter. He was joined on this year's first team by fellow senior Al Phillips (Hialeah, FL/American), who was named the top return man in the conference.

The other first team Green & White honorees were defensive stalwarts Bryan Brand (Sr., Placerville, CA/Santa Barbara CC) at linebacker, Robert Brown (Jr., Rome, NY/RFA) at defensive end, and Al Phillips - once again - this time for his prowess at the cornerback position. This was the third year in a row he's been selected for that position.

Butler, who became the first NEC player to ever rush for 100 yards or in all 11 games this year, finished second on Wagner's single-season rushing list with 1,713 yards. His 316 rushing attempts this season is also a school mark, as he finished his two-year RB career with 2,448 yards.

Phillips, the premier defensive back in the conference all year, dominated the interceptions category with seven on the season to finish his career with 17 INTs, third on the Wagner all-time list.

Seahawks' defensive lineman Robert Brown also led a defensive category - sacks - as he posted 11 on the year establishing a benchmark for the NEC with nine being solo.

Senior Bryan Brand finished third in the entire conference in tackles, as the California native tallied 117 total, 55 of those coming solo.