NEC Release

Somerset, NJ – The Northeast Conference (NEC) announced its 20-Year Anniversary Football Team this past weekend and Wagner was represented by three former all-time greats in placekicker Piotr Czech (2004-07), running back and 2014 Hall of Fame inductee Rick Sarille (1996-99), along with cornerback Al Phillips (2004-07).
 
The sturdy 6-5, 210-pound Czech was a 2007 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American placekicker, who went on to sign NFL free agent contracts with the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers and also played in the Arena Football League and the United Football League.
 
Possessor of arguably the strongest leg of any placekicker to ever compete in the NEC, Czech converted on field goal attempts of 56 and 50 yards during the 2007 season. The 56-yarder, which came against Saint Francis (PA) at windy Wagner College Stadium, remains the longest in league and Wagner history.

With two successful tries from 54 yards out during the 2006 season, the two-time First-Team All-NEC performer owns the three longest field goals ever converted in the NEC. His accuracy was also second to none as evidenced by his 84.2 percent (16-19) field goal success rate. Czech's strong leg was a major weapon on kick-offs, and the Keyport, NJ native was also a top punter for the Seahawks throughout his four-year career.
 
Sarille, a hard-nosed, Miami, FL native, ranks No. 1 in Seahawk history in seven major statistical categories: Rushing yards (5,290), All-Purpose Yardage (7,338), Scoring (334), Carries (965), Touchdowns (55), Kickoff Returns (64), Kickoff Return Yards (1,682).  The 5-10, 195-pound Sarille rushed for 100 yards or more 27 times in his career and exceeded the 200-yard mark on eight different occasions. Sarille was a 1999 Associated Press First-Team All-American All-Purpose Back, a 1997 Associated Press Third-Team All-American kick returner.
 
A three-time All-NEC selection, Sarille was the 1999 NEC Offensive Player of the Year, a season where he also earned First-Team All-NEC honors at both running back and as a kickoff return specialist, after leading the nation in all-purpose yards with a 208.7 average per game.
 
Phillips, a standout cornerback/kickoff return specialist, ranks third all-time in Seahawk history with 17 career interceptions, capped by a senior season in 2007 where he was fifth in the nation in interceptions (seven) and ranked 11th in the nation in kickoff return yardage (27.69).

A 2007 First-Team All-NEC choice as both a and a return specialist in 2007, capped his outstanding collegiate career by snaring an interception in helping to lead the North to a 35-7 win over the South in the East Coast Bowl, an All-Star game that features the top 75 Division I-FCS, II, III and NAIA athletes.

The 5-11, 195-pound Hialeah, FL native,  was a 2008 NFL free agent signee of the New York Jets before embarking on a four-year career in the Arena Football League.
 
NEC 20-Year Anniversary Team

Offense
Quarterback:  Tim Levcik, Robert Morris (1998-2001)
Running Back: Rick Sarille, Wagner (1996-99)
Running Back: Gary Jones, Albany (2002-03)
Receiver: Miles Austin, Monmouth (2002-05)
Receiver: Jordan Harris, Bryant (2010-13)
Receiver: Michael Caputo, Saint Francis (2003-06)
Tight End: John Nalbone, Monmouth (2005-08)
Offensive Line: Hank Fraley, Robert Morris (1996-99)
Offensive Line: Mark Leyenaar, Robert Morris (1998-2001)
Offensive Line: Geir Gudmundsen, Albany (2001-04)
Offensive Line: JT Herfurth, Albany (1999-2000)
Offensive Line: Ryne Nutt, Central Connecticut (2004-07)
 
Defense
Defensive Line: Jeff Covitz, Bryant (2011-14)
Defensive Line: Nolan Nearhoof, Robert Morris (2009-12)
Defensive Line: Ray Gensler, Robert Morris (2003-06)
Defensive Line: Steven Konopka, Central (1996-98)
Linebacker: Joe Sentipal, Monmouth (1999-2003)
Linebacker: Colin Disch, Albany (2004-07)
Linebacker: James Noel, Robert Morris (2002-05)
Linebacker: Kayode Mayowa, Sacred Heart (1999-2002)
Defensive Back: Chris Blackshear, Central Connecticut (2001-03)
Defensive Back: Al Phillips, Wagner (2004-07)
Defensive Back: Gordon Hill, Sacred Heart (2011-14)
Defensive Back: Serge Kona, Duquesne (2009-12)
 
Special Teams
Placekicker: Piotr Czech, Wagner (2004-07)
Punter: Nick Schirtzinger, Robert Morris (2007-10)
Return Specialist: Tyjuan Massey, Robert Morris (2002-05)
 
Follow Wagner Athletics on Twitter (@WagnerAthletics) for all the latest news and updates on the athletic department and @Wagner_Football for all the latest news pertaining to Wagner Football and first-year head coach Jason Houghtaling @HossWagner #CHAOSonthehill. Seahawk athletics can also be followed on Instagram (@wagnerathletics)