Highlights & Award Winners
Bill Middleton Memorial Football Award
The Bill Middleton Memorial Football Award is presented annually to the member of the football team whose offensive performance has been most valuable to the team and whose character reflects the courage, perseverance, and optimism of William M. Middleton '76. Bill Middleton was a four-year letterman and an outstanding defensive lineman whose inspirational play helped lead the Statesmen to a combined 27-8-1 record from 1972-75. The Middleton Award has been endowed through the thoughtful generosity of 43 of Bill's teammates, coaches and friends.
Brian Haeffner '20
The first team All-Liberty League running back rushed for a team-high 616 yards and six touchdowns during his senior season. He posted a pair of 100-yard games in the fall, rushing for a season-high 146 yards and two touchdowns in the win over St. Lawrence. Haeffner was recently named a 2019-20 College All-American Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year.
In 39 career games, Haeffner rushed for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
Bob Toner Defensive MVP Award
The Bob Toner Defensive MVP Award was presented for the first time at the 2008 Block H Dinner to honor Hobart's longtime equipment coordinator. This award is presented to the defensive player whose performance on the field has proved to be most valuable to the Hobart football team. The award has been endowed through the generous loyalty of Scott L. Martin '90, the defensive MVP of the 1989 Hobart football team.
Emmett Forde '21
Named to three All-America teams, Forde led Hobart with 81 tackles and seven sacks and led the Liberty League in tackles for loss (21), fumbles forced (3) and fumbles recovered (2). The Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year recorded a season-high 12 tackles, 3.5 for loss, in the win over Rensselaer.
A two-year starter, Forde has appeared in 30 games for Hobart, producing 139 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
Michael Theodore Silver '39 Memorial Award
The Michael Theodore Silver '39 Award is presented annually to the member of the football team whose scholarship, sportsmanship, and perseverance have proved to be superior. The award recognizes the outstanding athletic ability of Ted Silver, his love for the sport of football, and his loyalty to Hobart College. This award has been endowed through the generous loyalty of his brother, Ralph S. Silver Jr. '33.
Co-Winners Jake Catalioto '20 & Ryan Hofmann '20
Jake Catalioto '20
Catalioto caught a team-high 57 passes for 687 yards and four touchdowns. He posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games in wins over Buffalo State and Rochester, stinging the Yellowjackets for a season-high 107 yards and a TD on six catches.
The two-time All-Liberty League second team selection competed in 33 games as a Statesman. Catalioto recorded 130 receptions for 1,708 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is one of only two Statesmen to produce two 50-catch seasons. Catalioto is seventh on the program's all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards.
Ryan Hofmann '20
Hofmann threw for 2,241 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. He produced a career-high 380 yards, seventh on Hobart's single game list, in the win over Rowan. Hofmann completed a season-high 69% of his passes (20-29) in the win over Rochester.
A two-year starter, Hofmann completed his career with 4,079 passing yards and 41 TD passes. He ranks fourth all-time in passing touchdowns and fifth in passing yards. As a junior, Hofmann tied the Hobart record for touchdown passes in a game with six in a win at Morrisville State. He earned All-Liberty League honorable mention in 2018.
Mike Roberti '90 Memorial Award
The Mike Roberti '90 Memorial Award is awarded annually to a member of the Hobart football team who, by his character, outstanding sportsmanship, and positive influence on his fellow players has contributed most to the game.
The Roberti Award has been established through the leadership of Tom Bernacki '89 and Tim Kirwan '89, and through the generous loyalty of Mike's teammates and friends.
Jayson Prince '20
Prince is a two-time team captain and a three-time All-Liberty League selection. The cornerback had 33 tackles this season with three pass breakups and two interceptions. Prince notched a season-high six tackles in the win over Buffalo State.
In 40 career games, Prince made 121 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, three interceptions and five fumble recoveries, including a 97-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Brockport in 2017. It's the longest fumble return in program history.
Robert L. Cullen '37 Memorial Football Award
The Robert L. Cullen '37 Memorial Football Award is presented annually to the member of the football team whose performance on special teams has been inspirational and outstanding. The award recognizes Robert L. Cullen '37 for his contributions to intercollegiate athletics, a long-time coach of football and lacrosse at Cornell University, and as a standout quarterback and defensive back for the Hobart teams of 1934-36. This award is endowed through the generous loyalty of Donald S. "Bud" Ames, Class of 1964.
AJ Perlino '20
Perlino is recognized for his efforts on Hobart's kickoff return, punt protection and field goal units. The Statesmen led the Liberty League and ranked fifth in the nation in kickoff return average (25.83 yd/ret). Perlinio also earned second team All-Liberty League honors as a tight end, catching 13 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns this season.
In 28 career games, Perlino made 20 receptions for 245 yards and five touchdowns. He was a three-time Liberty League All-Academic Team selection.
Harter Family Award
The Harter Family Award is presented annually to the member of the football team whose love of the game and desire to win is outstanding. "He came to play and he came to win."
This award is donated in memory of their father, Donald R. Harter '39, through the generous loyalty of Geoff Harter '70 and Pete Harter '68. Don Harter served on the Colleges' Board of Trustees from 1964-78, was a charter member of the SAA, and, in 1992, he was inducted into the Hobart College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Co-Winners Ray Conley '20 & David McCarthy '20
Ray Conley '20
A two-time All-Liberty League selection at wide receiver, Conley pulled in 39 passes this season for 540 yards and six touchdowns. He caught six passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in the win over Rensselaer and posted five catches for 111 yards and a TD in the win over Buffalo State.
In 30 career games, Conley produced 90 receptions for 1,370 yards and ranks ninth with 16 receiving touchdowns.
David McCarthy '20
A three-year starter, McCarthy twice earned All-Liberty League second team honors. The outside linebacker produced 80 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, three pass breakups and an interception as a senior. McCarthy had a season-high 13 tackles in the win over Rowan.
McCarthy recorded 207 career tackles, 21 for loss, 10 pass breakups, and four interceptions in 33 career games.
Tryon Memorial Football Award
The Tryon Memorial Football Award is presented annually to the outstanding lineman of the Hobart football team whose sportsmanship, team play, and performance have contributed significantly to the team. The award recognizes the devotion of J. Edward "Eddie" Tryon, a teacher of young men and head coach of Hobart football 1946-1962, and has been endowed through the generous loyalty of John B. Phillips '51.
Collin Hudgins '20
An all-star on the field and in the classroom, Hudgins was named to the All-Liberty League second team in each of the past two seasons, while also earning a pair of CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. The defensive end tied for fourth on the team with 55 tackles this season. Hudgins also logged 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and forced a fumble. He made a career-high 11 tackles in the win over Rowan.
Hudgins appeared in 33 career games, making 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Shirley A. Zornow '47 Memorial Award
The Shirley A. Zornow '47 Memorial Award is awarded annually to the member of the Hobart football team who has demonstrated significant improvement, untiring perseverance and the will to win during the football season and over the course of his career.
The award recognizes Shirley Zornow and her enthusiasm for and support of the Hobart football program. The Shirley Zornow Memorial Award has been endowed through the generous loyalty of her husband and past president of the Statesmen Athletic Association, F. Ross Zornow '45.
Andrew Koonz '20
Koonz, a free safety, led Hobart and ranked second in the Liberty League with five interceptions in 2019. He also made 34 tackles, recovered two fumbles and broke up two passes. Koonz recorded a season-high five tackles in wins over Brockport and Buffalo State. The 2019 All-Liberty League honorable mention honoree logged a pair of interceptions in the win over St. Lawrence.
In 22 career games, Koonz had 72 tackles, eight interceptions, three pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He was twice named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.
Rayshawn Boswell '23
Boswell led the nation in kickoff return average (36.9 yds/ret) and kickoff returns for a touchdown (2) while rushing for 315 yards and four touchdowns. The Liberty League Rookie of the Year had a 98-yard kickoff return for a TD in the win at Rochester and a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the win at Cortland. Boswell earned the first of two Liberty League Rookie of the Week awards after rushing for a season-high 93 yards and a touchdown in the win over St. Lawrence.
Hobart finished the season with a 9-2 overall record, a four-win improvement over 2018. The Statesmen went 4-2 in the Liberty League, finishing tied for second in the standings. Hobart represented the conference in the annual New York State Bowl, capping the season with a 30-10 win at SUNY Cortland.
In addition to kickoff return average, the Statesmen were also among the national leaders in turnovers gained (8th, 30), fumbles recovered (11th, 13), interceptions (16th, 17), red zone defense (17th, .575), turnover margin (19th, 1.09), and winning percentage (21st, .818).
The Hobart football team awards are presented as part of the annual Block H Awards celebration. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's awards are being presented online. The next announcement will be the Hobart soccer team awards at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.
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Credits:
Photos by Kevin Colton, Mary Mazzarella, Ken DeBolt