Alex Bell

July 20 , 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart senior offensive lineman Alex Bell (Wallkill/Modena, N.Y.) was named a preseason first-team All-American by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. For the second straight year, Bell is the only offensive player from the Liberty League (formerly the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association) named to the Football Gazette’s three All-America teams.

At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Bell is an impressive combination of strength and speed. In 2004, the three-year starter at left guard helped running back Ty Godinho (Lancaster/Lancaster, N.Y.) become the only Liberty League rusher to average more than 100 yards per game (107.7), while protecting quarterback Craig Swanson ’04, who finished second in the League in passing yards per game (185.1) and pass efficiency rating (134.1). Bell did not allow a single sack last season, helping the Statesmen defend their League title, the program’s fourth since 1998.

One of four team captains for the 2004 season, Bell was named to two All-America teams last season, third-team D3Football.com and honorable mention from the Sports Information Directors. A three-time All-Liberty League selection, he garnered first-team honors in 2003, following back-to-back second-team awards.

Hobart opens up the 2004 season at 1 p.m., on Sept. 11, hosting Dickinson on Boswell Field. The Statesmen also will host Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Oct. 2), Coast Guard (Oct. 9), Union (Nov. 6), and Rochester (Nov. 13). For the complete schedule visit: web.hws.edu/statesmen/football.

The Statesmen finished the 2003 season with a 6-4 record, including a 3-1 mark in the Liberty League. League champion for the second straight season, Hobart won its first ECAC bowl last year, after earning an NCAA Tournament berth in two of the previous three seasons.