He came to UC after spending two seasons as the junior varsity offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at national-power St. John Fisher College.  In two seasons as quarterbacks coach he led a passing attack that compiled 5,304 yards passing, 55 touchdown’s and just 12 interceptions.

Fitzpatrick played for five seasons and emerged as Fisher’s starting quarterback in 2004. As a fifth-year senior, the Empire 8 All-Conference selection set Fisher records for passing touchdowns (30) and passing yards (2,366) while leading the Cardinals to a 10-2 overall record and a victory in the NCAA Division III Championship.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management in the spring of 2004.  Following a successful playing career at Fisher he returned to his hometown to coach the quarterbacks at Fulton High School in 2005, before returning to coach at Fisher in 2006.

Curt is a Fulton, NY native and currently resides in New Hartford.
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George Penree

George Penree was hired in the winter of 2007 and serves as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the Utica College football program.

Penree joined the UC coaching staff after spending one season as the special team’s coordinator and defensive backs coach at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa.  Waldorf, a member of the Midwest Collegiate Conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), posted a 2-9 record in 2007.  He also spent four years (2004-2007) as an assistant coach at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio.  During his tenure at Heidelberg he was able to earn a master’s degree in education.

Penree graduated from St. John Fisher College in 2003, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications/journalism.  He was also a member of the offensive line for four seasons with the Cardinal’s football program.  Immediately after earning his undergraduate degree he spent one year as a volunteer assistant coach with the Fisher football team, helping the Cardinals to an ECAC Northwest Championship.

The 1999 graduate of Notre Dame High School is a local product and was born, raised, and currently resides in Utica, NY.
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Kevin Eick

Kevin Eick was hired in the summer of 2009 as a super backs coach for the Utica College football program.

He graduated in 2008 with a degree in management from St. John Fisher College.  During his five years at Fisher he was a quarterback for the football team and as a senior he was named team captain.  In 2008 he guided the Cardinals to a 7-4 overall record and an appearance in the ECAC Northeast Championship where they defeated Husson College 17-7.  Over the course of 31 games played he completed 27-of-50 passes for 377 yards and two touchdowns.  He was also a key contributor on the Cardinals special teams unit throughout his career.

Kevin was a starting quarterback at Medina High School for three years, earning All-Division honors in his junior and senior campaigns.  He was also a standout basketball player and he finished his career as Medina’s second all-time leading scorer. While at Medina he was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Born on February 21, 1986, Kevin is originally from Medina, NY.  He is the son of Kenneth and Kelly Eick and he currently resides in Utica.
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Jake Dercola

Jake DerCola was hired in 2008 as a graduate assistant running backs coach and offensive coordinator for the junior varsity program of the Utica College football team.

He graduated from Brockport State in 2008 with a degree in physical education where he spent three seasons as a quarterback on the Golden Eagles football program.  He played in 13 career games and peaked as a senior when he played in nine games and threw for 537 total yards, including four touchdown tosses.  In his final collegiate game he completed 6-of-7 passes for two touchdowns as the Golden Eagles handily defeated the Bengals of Buffalo State, 55-13.

His previous coaching experience includes returning to his alma mater of Clyde Savanah High School to help out with the football and baseball teams.  He graduated from Clyde in 2004 after a prolific career playing football, basketball and baseball.  He was a two-time, first team all-league selection in both baseball and football.

Born on December 31, 1985, DerCola is originally from Newberry, SC.  He currently resides in Utica, NY.

The D3 Football Senior Classic is excited to announce that the game will be televised on NBC Roanoke channel 10 the day after it is played, on Sunday Dec. 6th from 12-3pm.

“We are proud to be working with NBC to get this game out there for  people to see and enjoy.  We are excited for the players who have worked so hard to become standout student athletes on the D3 level.   Their accomplishments deserve this kind of recognition, and I just consider myself fortunate to be a part of it.   The D-III football community is looking forward to watching this talent compete on December 5th.”

St. Lawrence- Peter

The Executive Committee of the D3 Football Senior Classic is proud to announce that the Salem Holiday Inn will host the players and coaches for the 2009 inaugural game.   Peter St. Lawrence, Executive Director for the Classic stated, “  We are excited to be affiliated with the nation’s most respected and reliable name in the lodging industry.  Our players and coaches will be afforded the highest quality of  hospitality provided by the outstanding staff of the Salem Holiday Inn“.   The City of Salem, Virginia, remains the perfect setting to showcase the talent laden players of D3 football.   The Holiday Inn of Salem, is part of the reason why  Salem is known as the, “Championship City” For reservations and additional information about lodging for the game please use the following  contact information: The Official hotel for the  Division III Senior Football Classic is the Holiday Inn Salem located at 450 Litchell Road in Salem Virginia. The Holiday Inn Salem is located just off Interstate-81 at Exit 137, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Local attractions include the Salem Civic Center, Virginia Tech, and Mill Mountain Zoo. Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, whirlpool, high-speed Internet access, and a health/fitness center. Hotel offers a full service restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. The hotel is less than 1 mile away from Salem Stadium and we strongly encourage all players to stay at this hotel. We will be having team meetings in the hotel. All fans and players are welcome to stay in the hotel. Special room rate of $99 plus tax inclusive of full breakfast buffet. Booking Instructions As a convenience for our guest we have partnered with the World premier group team Groople to assist you with your travel accomodations. To receive the special Division III Senior Footbal Classic rate please contact Groople Group Desk before November 25, 2009. Any rooms booked after November 25 are subject to availability and subject to a higher rate. Groople may also be able to assist you with flight and rental car arrangements.  In addition as a special benefit to the Division III Senior Football Classic players Groople can pair you up with teammate. If you are looking to save money and  and need a roommate please tell Groople to pair you with a roommate. They will randomly select a roommate for you and each player will pay $49.50 plus tax per night.  Please let them know if you are with the North Team or South Team. A credit card is needed to reserve a room. To book your travel accommodations via the phone or email please contact: Groople Group Desk Monday – Friday 8am-4pm Central Time. Angel Heefner Group Hotel Specialist angelheefner@groople.com Office: 319–550-4193

The CDFL Sponsored 2009 D3 Football Senior Classic tickets are now available on

LINK

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01004363C0FE9477?artistid=1381445&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=8