2008 ECAC Division II All-Star Team
2008 ECAC Team of Year
CAPE COD, Mass. – West Chester University put six players on the 2008 ECAC Division II all-star squad, the most of any school represented, while also earning the ECAC Division II Team of the Year award for the fourth time in the last five years.
All-American Mike Washington highlighted the Golden Rams selections with his second straight selection to the all-star team. He finished his senior season with 1,200 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns while being named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, handed out to the Division II player of the year. Washington and fellow ECAC all-star pick Kennis Jones will participate in the 2009 Valero Cactus Bowl on Friday night in Kingsville, Texas in the Division II all-star game held on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Joining Washington and Jones on the 2008 ECAC Division II all-star team were tight end Ryan Paulson, defensive end Michael Walter, linebacker Mike Dell and punter Alex Walsh.
In addition, West Chester was named the conference’s Division II team of the year for the third straight season and the fourth time in the last five years. Head coach Bill Zwaan has now picked up that award four times in his six seasons at the helm of the Golden Rams.
Paulson was a first-team All-PSAC East selection in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, leading all tight ends in receiving with 37 catches for 583 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 15.8 yards per reception and 48.6 yards per game on the year.
Walter finished seventh on the team in tackles with 53. He ranked second in the PSAC in sacks (8) and fifth in tackles for a loss (12.5) while leading the Golden Rams in each category. He also forced two fumbles on the year for the loop’s ninth-best defense statistically.
Dell was named the PSAC Eastern Division defensive player of the year and first team all-region, placing second in the conference with 113 tackles. His 8.7 stops per contest ranked fifth in the conference. He recorded 10.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks and intercepted two passes as well. The junior LB recorded 70 solo stops on the season.
Walsh averaged a single-season school record 42.2 yards per punt on the year and placed 13 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. He also boomed seven kicks of more than 50 yards. The local product also broke the school record for career punting average.