July 16 , 2007

Dominick Ancona is a preseason favorite to win the Gilburg Punter of the Year Award. (photo by Kevin Colton)

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College senior punter Dominick Ancona (Chaminade/Garden City, N.Y.) was one of six seniors named to the preseason watch list for the Gilburg Punter of the Year Award. A 2006 D3football.com honorable mention All-American, he was among the national leaders in punting average last season.

A three-time Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the Week, Ancona led the league and ranked fifth in the nation with an average of 41.3 yards per punt. He also led the league in yards per kickoff at 51.8. Ancona was named first-team All-Liberty League, selected to the D3Football.com All-East second team, and tabbed an ECAC Northwest All-Star for his efforts last season.

Ancona pinned the opposition inside its own 20-yard line 14 times in 2006 and boomed nine punts that traveled 50 yards or more, including a career-long 65-yard punt against Union. His 37.84 career yards per punt average is nearly two yards beyond Bob Tretter’s ’82 Hobart record (35.91).

Presented by the Franklin & Marshall Football Association the Gilburg Award is presented annually to the consensus All-America punter compiled from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), D3football.com and Associated Press Little All-America teams. It's named in honor of retired Franklin & Marshall football coach and former NCAA Division I and NFL punter, Tom Gilburg.

Hobart will open its 114th varsity season on Sept. 8 at Dickinson. The Statesmen make their home debut a week later when they host Carnegie Mellon on Boswell Field.