Springfield, Mass. -- November 17, 2011 -- Sean Meagher, an offensive lineman from the Springfield College football team, was today named All-Empire 8 First Team, according to the league's head coaches. A total of five other SC players were mentioned to the second team and honorable mention. QB Josh Carter was also named Springfield College's representative as its Sportsman of the Year. Meagher, a senior right tackle, is a native of Cape Elizabeth, Me. A 6-1, 245-pounder, Sean was a Second Team All-Empire 8 performer a year ago. He helped Springfield College to become the nation's leading rushing team by averaging 400.6 yards per game on the ground this season.
Three others were named to the Empire 8 Second Team, one on offense, two on defense. The offensive player was senior QB Josh Carter. who had a marvelous year. The native of Marlborough, Mass had a distinctive season, finishing first nationally in regular-season play in scoring (17.4 points per game), first in rushing touchdowns (27), second in points responsible for (23.20 ppg), fifth in rushing offense (149.00 yards per game), and 30th in all-purpose rushing (149.00 yards per game). In his final game of his career last Saturday versus Union, he rushed for a school record 299 yards. He wound up being named Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season, BSN National Player of the Week for the second time this season, and earned the prestigious Gold Helmet Award from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston for the second time this season.
The two from the defensive side were seniors who came from the secondary. James Kikel, the starting free safety from Glendale, N.Y., led SC in tackles (105) for the year. His running mate, Matt Ramos, the strong safety from Milford, Conn., was also among the top tacklers (56), and was considered a ferocious hitter.
The last two received "honorable mention" status. They were both offensive linemen. Senior Matt Dugan (Methuen, Mass.) and sophomore Mike MacDonald (North Dighton, Mass.) both were integral factors in SC's winning a national rushing team title.
And finally, it was Carter who was named Springfield College's Sportsman of the Year. Carter represented himself and the team graciously throughout the entire season.
Michael C. “Mike” DeLong ’74 enters his 32nd season as a head football coach in the fall of 2013. He enters his 30th year at Springfield College alone. For the past 28 years, he has been the head coach at Springfield, his alma mater. Mike had also been the head coach at Maine Maritime in Castine, Maine in 1979 and 1980. Read more.
