11/20/2003 - Sprint Football
Navy Sprint Football Honors Standouts

Annapolis, Md. -- The Navy sprint football team reflected on the past season and honored the squad's standouts at the annual team banquet Wednesday evening at the Bo Coppedge Room in Alumni Hall. Following a dinner and remarks from Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk and the Deputy Director of Athletics Capt. Greg Cooper, USN, the coaching staff recognized individuals for their performances this past season.

Linebacker David Novotney (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) received the John S. Degnan (?52) Award as the most outstanding freshman. Novotney ranked second on the team in tackles with 44, 26 of which were solo shots. He led the team with four sacks for a loss of 25 yards and recorded one interception. After helping the Mids shutout Pennsylvania, 31-0, in Philadelphia on Oct. 31, Novotney was honored by the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) as Defensive Player of the Week. The freshman led the team with seven tackles and two sacks in Navy's second shutout of the season.

?This is an individual who transitioned from civilian to military and has not been home since July,? said assistant coach Renzie Lamb on presentation of the award to Novotney. ?He took on the academics, the professional training and football. This is an unbelievable accomplishment.?

The W.J. Gooding ('52) Award, given annually to the most improved player, was presented to junior Francis Pascucci (Walden, N.Y./Pine Bush). The cornerback recorded 22 tackles, including one sack for a loss of 10 yards, after missing the early part of the season with an injury. He also recovered one fumble and broke up three passes. Last season, as a sophomore, Pascucci recorded 20 tackles in his seven appearances.

Team co-captain Brett Jones (Tulare, Calif./Tulare Union) was the recipient of the Sexton Memorial Trophy, given to the player voted by his teammates as the most outstanding in character, leadership and sportsmanship. Jones will receive his award, a watch, at the Commissioning Week awards ceremony in May 2004. An offensive lineman, Jones helped the Mids gain 400 yards and score more than 33 points per game. Jones was also the recipient of the Academy's Kauffman Leadership Award, for which his classmates nominated him for based on his leadership potential and service.

?It's been my honor to work with Brett,? commented officer representative Maj. Chris Morton, USMC. ?He joined this team as a plebe and did everything we asked of him, including switching positions because he knew it was for the good of the team.?

The team annually rewards a watch to its MVP of the Army-Navy Star Game in honor of Lt. Cmdr. Albert A. Schaufelberger III, a 1971 graduate of the Naval Academy, who was killed in El Salvador in 1983. Lt. Cmdr Schaufelberger was a member of the lacrosse and 150-pound football teams during his tenure at the Academy. At the time of his death, was the second-ranking officer of the American advisors to El Salvador's armed forces. Sophomore Trevor Garabedian-Prophet (Ventura, Calif./Ventura) was named the 2003 recipient of the award as he contributed two touchdowns for the Mids as Navy fell short of Army, 30-25. Garabedian-Prophet caught a 28-yard pass from quarterback Chris Ashinhurst to give the Mids a 16-6 lead at the half, and ran in his second score from the two yardline to give Navy a 23-16 lead in the fourth quarter. Garabedian-Prophet was the 2002 recipient of the Degnan Award.

?I am very proud to have worked with this individual,? said assistant coach Lt. Cmdr. Bud Hanley, USN.

The Special Forces Award, given to the player who displayed the most determination, tenacity and skill on special teams throughout the year, was presented this season to senior Jamie Glines (Modesto, Calif./Central Catholic). Glines returned 22 punts for 251 yards and returned 109 kicks for 197 yards. Glines was named CSFL Special Teams Player of the Week after giving Navy excellent field position in the Mids' 62-24 win over Princeton on Senior Night by accounting for 167 yards on returns (93 on five punts and 74 on four kickoffs) and setting up the team's first score of the day with a 63-yard punt return.

?[Glines] epitomizes the spirit of sprint football,? noted faculty representative Maj. Pete Brown, USMC. ?He weighs about 150 pounds dripping wet, and he was out there, playing every down on offense, defense and special teams.?

Glines was also named the team's MVP for his effort, commitment and passion throughout the season. Glines' teammates voted him their Most Valuable Player as he contributed 789 all purpose yards -- 133 from rushing, 208 on pass receptions, 251 on punt returns and 197 on kick returns. He led the team with an average of 112.7 yards per game. Glines totaled 23 tackles and broke up five passes while on the defensive side of the spheroid. The Modesto native scored four touchdowns, three on rushing plays. Against Army in the Pride Bowl, Glines scored the go-ahead touchdown six minutes before halftime before the Mids took a 14-0 victory.

?I agree with your vote, 100%,? head coach Maj. Jerome Rizzo, USMC, told the team last night. ?Jamie is a special person and a special player. He played both ways, and I enjoyed watching the coaches trying to figure out who got to work with him during practice. He epitomizes what this team is all about. He is unselfish and all heart.?

# GO NAVY #