8-5-08

READING, Pa. – Lycoming College was picked to finish fifth in the 2008 Middle Atlantic Conference preseason football poll, as released on Tuesday at the annual MAC media day event hosted by Albright College. The poll is voted on by all the head coaches in the league.

Defending champion, Widener, was selected atop the poll with Albright and Delaware Valley tying for second. Wilkes was chosen fourth with Lebanon Valley sixth, King’s seventh and FDU-Florham eighth.

Lycoming’s head coach Mike Clark and senior captains Nick Reese, Chris Smith, Andy Marino and Pat Taylor represented the College, along with sports information director Jon Holtz.

Local media representatives from ESPN Radio 1050/104.1 and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette attended the event and spoke with players and coaches throughout the conference while media from around the league’s markets interviewed Clark and the Lycoming student-athletes.

Clark also used the media day as an opportunity to unveil the new Lycoming helmet design, which was displayed throughout the event. The 2008 rendition of the Warriors helmet will feature a modernized version of the block ‘L’ logo and a blue, gold and white stripe down the center.

“This was a nice welcoming to the conference for me,” said Clark. “I’m really glad four of our captains could make it here today and get the chance to be a part of the event. We’re all excited for camp to start next week and we’re really looking forward to the season.”

The MAC also used the media day to officially release the plans for the Middle Atlantic Conference vs. President’s Athletic Conference Challenge.

Executive director Ken Andrews opened the event by announcing the MAC-PAC Challenge, which has been scheduled for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. The challenge will pit all eight schools in the MAC against schools from the PAC, consisting of Bethany College, Geneva College, Grove City College, Saint Vincent College, Thiel College, Washington and Jefferson College, Waynesburg University and Westminster College. All games will be hosted by MAC schools in 2010 and hosted by PAC institutions in 2011.

The Warriors will report to camp on Aug. 13 and open the 2008 season on Sept. 6 at Ithaca College.

2008 MAC Preseason Poll

1. Widener (53 pts.)

2. Delaware Valley (48)

2. Albright (48)

4. Wilkes (43)

5. Lycoming (29)

6. Lebanon Valley (28)

7. King’s (24)

8. FDU-Florham (14)