December 8, 2006

Mike DePersis	Dominick Ancona
Nino Giambrone	Andy Purdie

GENEVA, N.Y.—Four Hobart College football student-athletes were recognized by D3football.com for their successful season on the gridiron. Senior tackle Mike DePersis (Johnson City/Johnson City, N.Y.) and senior guard Nino Giambrone (Pioneer/Delevan, N.Y.) were both named to the D3football.com All-East Region Second Team Offense, while senior end Andy Purdie (Victor/Farmington, N.Y.) was selected to the D3football.com All-East Region Second Team Defense, and junior punter Dominick Ancona (Chaminade/Garden City, N.Y.) was tabbed All-East Region Second Team Special Teams. Together they led the Statesmen to an 8-2 overall record, a share of the Liberty League title, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Two-time All-Liberty League picks DePersis and Giambrone anchored an offensive line that helped Hobart average 333.7 yards of offense per game this season, including 150 yards rushing. The pair helped create paths that allowed the Statesmen running backs to record 19 of the team’s 33 touchdowns, ranking them second in the league in rushing offense. DePersis and Giambrone wrapped up their careers having played in 39 and 36 career games, respectively.

Purdie led the team in sacks with 7.5, including a career-high 3.5 in a 30-19 win over Merchant Marine on Oct. 14. He recorded 10.5 tackles for a loss of 48 yards, second on the team, and ranked sixth on the team in tackles this season with 49, including 26 solo. The two-time All-Liberty League selection closed out his career with 133 tackles, 15 sacks, and 22.5 tackles for a loss in 42 career games.

Ancona played in all 10 games, tallying 44 punts for 1,818 yards. He averaged 41.3 yards per punt, and recorded a career-long 65-yard punt against Union on Nov. 4. A first-team All-Liberty League pick and three-time Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the Week, Ancona led the league and ranked fifth in the nation in punting this season.