January, 2011
Dear Eagle Family,
First and foremost – a Happy New Year to all!! With a very successful 2010 in the rearview mirror, our focus is to now have the very best 2011 possible.
On to Frisco – Well by now you certainly know that we will be starting 2011 with a bang as we play Delaware in the FCS Championship game on January 7. With the FCS playoffs taking on an expanded format (20 teams as opposed to 16), this is the first year that we will play the title game after the New Year and for that matter the first time in Frisco. I have to admit that when this change occurred last year, I was not a big fan of the date change. But consider me a convert to the new date having spent the past couple of weeks working out logistics for the trip. In addition -- and most importantly -- our fans, alums, families and friends have been able to use the three week window to plan their trip to the greater Dallas area without the concern of a less than seven day turnaround which has been tremendous. We have also heard from a number of former football players who will be making the trek to Frisco and we look forward to seeing everyone down there.
The List – the following is a list of former football players, coaches and staff that we know of that have indicated to us that they will be in Frisco…I am sure there will be many more but as of this writing (12-31) this was the list:
Michael Roos (2001-02-03-04)
Josh Blankenship (2002) - Big Sky Offensive MVP 2002
Jeff Ogden (1995-96-97) - All-American wide receiver and Academic All-American
Rob Friese (1982-83-84-85)--
Greg Peach (2005-06-07-08) -- Buck Buchanan Award Winner 2008; Now plays for Edmonton in CFL
Luke Fritz (1997-98-99-00) -- Now plays for Winnipeg in CFL
Jim McElwain (1981-82) -- Now offensive coordinator at Alabama
Ryan Phillips (2003-04) -- Now plays for British Columbia in CFL
Rick Worman (1984-85) -- Former CFL player and coach
John Johnson (1981-82) -- Former EWU & Weber AD; Now Associate AD at Washington State
Ed Fisher (1967-68-69-70) -- EWU Hall of Fame Player (highly-successful coach at South Kitsap HS)
Dick Zornes (1963-64-65-66) -- EWU Hall of Fame Player and Coach -- 15 as head coach (89-66-2)
Jimmy Lake (1995-96-97-98) -- North Central HS graduate and now coaches at Tampa Bay in the NFL
Jason Scott (1991-92)
Todd Bernett (1991-92-93-94)
T.J. Ewing (1993-94)
Kevin O’Connor (1984-85-86-87)
Jason Elliott (1986-87-88-89)
Mark Haigh (1986-87)
Greg Fleming (1987-88)
Darin Harvey (1987-88-89-90)
Mike Mumford (1979-80)
Drew Oswald (2004)
Alexis Alexander (2006-07-08)
Zach Wasielewski (2004-05-06-07)
Lance Ballew (1997-98-99-00)
Shawn Reilly (1981-82)
Shane Skipworth
Tom Mason -- Former assistant coach, now at SMU
Jerry Graybeal -- Former assistant coach
Larry Hattemer -- Former assistant coach
Ginny Knox - Former equipment manager for 17 years
THANK YOU – To Cheney and Greater Spokane communities for coming out on Friday night, December 17, to witness history as our football team defeated defending champion, Villanova, in front of a national audience on ESPN 2. The 6,600 fans were enthusiastic, loud and proud so thank you!!
THANK YOU II – To the Alumni “pick up” band – you were just tremendous…look forward to that happening again.
THANK YOU III – To our campus community for rallying and supporting us during this playoff run…that includes everyone from administration to faculty to staff to of course our student body – well done!!!
THANK YOU IV – To our athletic department staff who has worked their proverbial fingers to the bone. Our athletic staff is the smallest in the Big Sky but I have no doubt it is the best. The same folks you see working football are the same ones at basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc…they have a tremendous appetite to put Eastern’s best foot forward and they do so without much accolades or fanfare – so I publicly thank them for their efforts.
THANK YOU V – Finally, to our football coaches, support staff and student-athletes for having a tremendous season we will not soon forget. You have represented Eastern with pride and dignity and have no doubt you will be great ambassadors in Texas.
HAPPY NEW YEAR – Again, on behalf of Eastern Athletics, we hope that everyone have a tremendous 2011!!!
Until next month…Go Eagles!!
Bill |
