WATERLOO – This afternoon the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawk football program announced the initial commitments for the 2008 recruiting class at University Stadium. A total of 16 Golden Hawks graduated from the program this past season including a total of six five-year student-athletes and another 10 fourth year student-athletes.

“We’re proud to be the school these student-athletes have chosen to compete for,” commented Manager of Football Operations and Head Coach Gary Jeffries. “This group will do a fine job replacing graduating athletes and helping to lead this football program to additional successes.”

Joining the purple-and-gold family in the football locker room for today’s announcement with family and friends are the following ten high-school graduates:

Daniel Bishop – Bishop, the 6’0 linebacker from Loyola High School in Mississauga, Ontario is the younger brother of receiver Josh Bishop. The 215lb athlete is a hard hitter and has some good speed as well.

Greg Borovilos – Borovilos is a 6’3 offensive lineman from Sir John A MacDonald in Waterloo. A Kitchener-Waterloo all-star and one of the top offensive lineman in Waterloo region, the 255lb athlete is a highly sought after recruit who has chosen Wilfrid Laurier.

Marlon Dixon – Dixon is a 5’11” linebacker who is originally from Ajax, Ontario and Notre Dame comes to the program from North Cobb High School in Acworth, Georgia. The 215lb athlete won the state championship this past year.  His outstanding talent and speed (running 40 yards in 4.6 seconds) will add to the defensive core of the program.

Drew Galpin – Galpin is a 5’11 linebacker from Forest Heights in Kitchener. A Kitchener-Waterloo all-star and one of the hardest working linebackers in the area, he will be a strong addition to the team.

Nathan Hawkes – Hawkes is a place kicker from Preston High School in Cambridge, Ontario. The 6’1”, 195lb student-athlete has one of the highest ranges in the Waterloo region kicking 50 yards.

A.K. Heffernan – Heffernan is a 6’0 linebacker from Brother Andre in Markham, Ontario. The 195lb linebacker played for Team Ontario and was the captain of the Markham Raiders in the OVFL.

Ryon McCalla – McCalla is a 5’10” running back from Brampton who attended St. Thomas Aquinas. The 175lb athlete and team most valuable player runs 40 yards in 4.35 seconds and is a great breakaway back for the program.

Chris Rossetti – Rossetti is a 6’1” quarterback from Toronto, Ontario who attended St. Mike’s. A Toronto Star all-star and Metro Bowl champion (& MVP) he is one of the top ranked quarterbacks in Ontario that can run and throw the ball.

Courtney Stephen – Stephen is a 6’0 defensive back from Turner Fenton High School in Brampton, Ontario. The 186lb free safety is seen to be one of the highest touted recruits in the country due to his speed of 40 yards in 4.5 seconds as well as his skill level.

John Wickens – Wickens is a 6’1 tight end/slot back from Preston H.S. in Cambridge, Ontario. The athlete was a member of team Ontario and with his strong blocking ability and size he will be a nice fit for the Hawk pass attack.

The Golden Hawks finished the 2007 season with a regular season record of 7-1 before finishing as a semi-finalist in the provincial championships. In the last five years, the program has attended four Yates Cup provincial championships, winning two of them and moving on to claim the national championship, the Vanier Cup in 2005 for the second time in the school’s history. 

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Athletics and Recreation department operates 23 interuniversity programs including 15 at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) level. The Golden Hawks have won 8 national championships and 47 provincial championships in the program's history.

-WLU-