26 Student-Athletes Comprise 2007 Explorer Football Recruiting Class

2008-09 Annual Report

Virginia state AA Player of the Year among contingent of recruits from four different states

March 29, 2007

PHILADELPHIA, PA - One year after taking charge of the Explorer football prgram, La Salle University head coach Tim Miller has announced a recruiting class of 26 student-athletes to enter the program for competition in the 2007 season.

Coach Miller and the staff are excited to announce the 2007 recruiting class. "Our staff, players and other members of the La Salle community have worked extremely hard to spread the mission and philosophy of our program. We are a group of people that believe in the things we can achieve on and off of the field," stated Miller. "We have a philosophy in recruiting that we do not believe in pressuring individuals to make decisions. We never speak poorly about other institutions, but chose to only speak of the great things here at La Salle. We do not want people to come to our University if it is not the right fit. We believe that it is going to take special individuals to see our vision and work to accomplish our lofty goals. Our current kids deserve to only have people that believe in the things we are working so diligently to achieve in the classroom, community and on the football field."

If it is "special people" that Miller and the staff were looking for, it is "special people" that have committed to becoming Explorers. Although additional commitments are anticipated, it is not hard to recognize how distinctive this class is. The staff aims to bring in a total of 35 recruits before they are finished. Commitments are currently occurring on a daily basis.

The class consists of 14 players from Pennsylvania, seven players from New Jersey, four players from DC, one player from Virginia and one player from Florida. Running back Deric Dudinski, Virginia Player of the Year (AA) , highlights this talented class of future Explorers.

In the year since taking over the program, Coach Miller has witnessed many changes that have affected his team.

Most notably, the $2.5 million field enhancement project has outfitted McCarthy Stadium with Philadelphia's newest playing field - a Sprinturf surface like those used at the Philadelphia Eagles' NovaCare practice facility and at the Seattle Seahawks' Quest Field. On their new track the Explorers opened the 2006 season in front of one of the largest crowds to ever witness an Explorer football game with the program's first night game, played under the new lights of McCarthy.

As the program worked diligently to get involved in La Salle and the surrounding community (most players and coaches serve as Big Brothers at local Logan Elementary), they also showed great improvement in the classroom. In the fall of 2006, 78% of the players in the program improved their overall GPA (39 players had over a 3.0 GPA).

Although getting the job late in the recruiting process in 2006, Coach Miller and staff brought in a great freshman class with 10 members having starting roles at some point in the season. As the youth of the program matured, it began to show on the field with the season ending with a 37 - 28 victory over St. Peter's.

The members of the team now understand the philosophy of the program. Not only have the players been working in the classroom and community, but in the gym and weight room. Explorer members had close to 100% attendance while they were running the conditioning program a few times a week at 5:45am. Coach Brian Bingaman, Explorer's strength and conditioning coach, has commented on the strength increase and work ethic of the players. The atmosphere has been described by people visiting the Explorer Football Program during the current recruiting period as unique and special. During the 2007 recruiting periods, some of the best student/athletes in their respected regions have visited the La Salle University campus.

Breakdown by Position

Quarterback - 2

Offensive Line - 5

Wide Receiver - 1

Running Back - 1

Tight End - 2

Defensive Line - 2

Linebacker - 6

Defensive Back - 6

Kicker - 1

Breakdown by State

Pennsylvania - 14

New Jersey - 7

Maryland - 3

District of Columbia - 1

Virginia - 1