May 9 , 2007

Shawn Mizro	Nolan Robinson
Ryan Aruck	Andy Purdie
Evan Hoffman	Tyler Mason
Doug Blakowski	James Wright
	Mike Faracca

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College football seniors Shawn Mizro (Newark/Newark, N.Y.) and Nolan Robinson (Johnson City/Johnson City, N.Y.) were honored as two of Hobart’s exceptional senior athletes at the 42nd Annual Block H Awards Banquet on April 30. Mizro was presented with the Francis L. “Babe” Kraus ’24 Memorial Award, which goes to the most outstanding senior Statesman, while Robinson went home with the William C. Stiles ’43 Memorial Award for leadership, determination, and character.

Sophomore Ryan Aruck (Canandaigua/Canandaigua, N.Y.), senior Andy Purdie (Victor/Farmington, N.Y.), senior Evan Hoffman (Fairfield Prep/Fairfield, Conn.), senior Tyler Mason (Stillwater/Stillwater, N.Y.), senior Doug Blakowski (Iroquois Central/Elma, N.Y.), junior James Wright (Olean/Olean, N.Y.), and first-year Mike Faracca (Williamsville East/Williamsville, N.Y.) were also honored at the banquet.

Mizro was also presented with the Harter Family Award, which goes to the member of the team whose love for the game and desire to win is outstanding. A three-year starter, Mizro ended his career holding numerous program records, including career pass attempts (826), completions (455), passing yards (6,097), and passing touchdowns (61). He led the Statesmen to three straight NCAA Playoff appearances and posted a record of 26-6 as a starter. Mizro was a two-time first-team All-Liberty League selection and served as a team captain during his senior year.

An outside linebacker for the past four seasons, Robinson closed out his career with 250 tackles, including 140 solo. He also recorded four career sacks and was tabbed Academic All-District by ESPN The Magazine, All-Liberty League second team, and All-East Third Team by the Football Gazette this season. Robinson was also presented with the Bill Middleton Memorial Football Award as the team’s most valuable player.

Blakowski was honored with the Harter Award as well. A running back, Blakowski ran for 1,054 yards (105.4 yd/g) and scored a team-high 15 touchdowns this season. He wrapped up his career with 2,610 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns, including a three-touchdown, 132-yard rushing performance in a 19-14 win over WPI this season. A two-time ECAC Northwest Player of the Week in 2006, Blakowski was tabbed the Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week three times, and named All-Liberty League second team.

Aruck went home with the Tryon Football Award, which is presented to the outstanding lineman whose sportsmanship, team play, and performance have contributed greatly to the team. Aruck has played in all 21 games in his first two seasons as a defensive tackle for the Statesmen. Last fall he ranked third on the team in total tackles with 65, and led the team in assisted tackles with 47, earning All-Liberty League second team honors for his efforts. Aruck also registered 4.5 tackles for a loss, deflected a pass, and blocked a field goal attempt in 2006. He has posted 121 career tackles and 1.5 sacks in his first two years as a Statesman. He was chosen by his teammates to be a captain for the 2007 season.

The Shirley A. Zornow WS ’47 Memorial Award went to Purdie for his improvement, untiring perseverance, and will to win. Purdie, a defensive end, registered 49 tackles on the season (26 solo), and was recognized by D3Football.com as All-Region, and tabbed an ECAC Northwest All-Star.

Hoffman received the Mike Roberti ’90 Memorial Award, for the positive influence he had on his teammates, as he showed outstanding sportsmanship and character. In his first season as a starter, Hoffman led the Statesmen in tackles, tackles for a loss, and forced fumbles. The first-team All-Liberty League selection ranked sixth in the conference with 70 tackles, fourth in tackles for a loss with 12, and seventh in sacks with six. Hoffman produced 10 or more tackles in a game four times this season, including a career-high 14 stops in a 31-21 win over Rochester. He earned five weekly awards during the campaign, highlighted by a spot on the D3football.com Team of the Week following a three-sack performance at Merchant Marine, and was named an ECAC Northwest All-Star.

Mason’s superior scholarship, sportsmanship, and perseverance earned him the Michael Theodore Silver ’39 Memorial Award. He finished his career with 77 tackles, including 44 during his senior season. He posted a pair of sacks against the Yellowjackets and notched a career-high eight stops the following weekend in the NCAA Tournament against Rowan. Mason’s sack against Rochester’s quarterback was voted the Defensive Play of the Year in an online fan poll.

The Robert L. Cullen’37 Memorial Football Award went to Wright, who was honored for his inspirational and outstanding performance on special teams. He returned 25 punts for 171 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Wright recorded a season-long 18-yard return in a win over St. Lawrence. The Statesmen’s top receiver, he recorded five touchdowns on 31 receptions.

Faracca earned the Rookie Award. The defensive tackle had an exceptional first year, playing in all 10 games and tallying 28 tackles. Faracca registered a career-high six tackles (1 solo) in a 19-14 win over WPI, and posted five takedowns in a 31-21 win over Rochester.

The Statesmen will kickoff the 2007 season at Dickinson on September 8.