GB Lions to play US College

The National Programme has organized a game with a division three-college team from Kentucky. The Lions will play Centre College on May the 28th 2005 - in a Saturday night game at Crystal Palace NSC.

Team GB would have had three camps to prepare themselves where as the Colonels will be coming of spring practice. “We hope it will provide us the opportunity to compete coming off 10 days of practice in the spring” said HC Andy Frye he added, "We are excited about the playing the National team. It will be an opportunity to share goodwill and compete in Great Britain. We believe this experience overseas will provide us some momentum going into our fall season. Also it is important that this experience develops in us a greater team morale for the 2005 season."

The Centre College football team posted a 4-6 record during the 2004 season and went 2-4 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play. They have now accumulated 509 wins, 383 losses, and 38 ties, with eight undefeated teams, and 17 more with just a single loss.

Despite having their first losing season in the last six years, the Colonels did break numerous individual records.  Senior quarterback Brian Behrendt (Paducah, Ky.) broke numerous school records this season including single-game passing attempts (53), and yards (445), as well as single-season attempts (420), completions (246), yards (3,013), and touchdowns (28).  He also shattered the career touchdowns record throwing 65 from 2001-2004.

Senior wide receiver David Crowley (Madisonville, KY) became the first player in Centre history to gain 1,000 receiving yards and only the fifth player ever to achieve this feat in conference history.  He broke the single-season receptions mark this year, catching 73 passes, four receptions ahead of former Centre standout Lorenzo Engleman.  Not only was Crowley named to the 2004 Football Gazette NCAA Division III All-South Region Football Team, but he was also one of the ten finalists for the 2004 Gagliardi Trophy, recognizing the NCAA Division III football player of the year.

The Colonels put six members of the 2004 squad on the all-conference team, including Behrendt, Crowley, junior offensive tackle Justin Roe (Paris, Ky.), senior linebacker Jarrod Zywien (Kettering, Oh.), sophomore wide receiver Adam Clark (Frankfort, Ky.), and junior kicker Chris Thompson (Crestwood, Ky.). Five others were selected to the All-SCAC Honorable Mention team.

The Centre college football program has been in existence for 113 years. From 1917 through 1924 the famous “Praying Colonels” won 57 games while losing only eight. In 1921, Centre defeated top-ranked and undefeated Harvard University (6-0) in a game still considered among the best in school history.  One media poll voted the game the biggest upset of the half-century.  Centre College is still the only college in the state of Kentucky that owns a national championship in football. 

“It is obvious that this team is heaped with pedigree and tradition and we are extremely pleased that we will have the opportunity to play them on home soil,” said Riq Ayub the National Programme Director.

This makes the forth-coming camp at Crystal Palace even more important in term of preparation and player selection. A spokesperson for the team urged all players who still wish to compete for a spot to get their teams to recommend them immediately. The camp is a two day event on the 12th and 13th of Feb – next month.

The dates for all future camps are now on the BAFA website www.bafa.org.uk on the diary page.

“It is possible”

 

112 YEARS: CENTRE FOOTBALL RICH IN TRADITION

The familiar sounds of pads and helmets clashing together have been echoing across the Centre Campus for well over 100 years. Now spanning three centuries, Centre's football tradition is one rich in accomplishments. Centre's football history began in April 1880, when the Colonels participated in the first football game played south of the Ohio River, in Lexington, Kentucky. Since that time, Centre ranks 12th among Division III schools with 509 wins, 374 losses, and 37 ties.

Centre's first period of gridiron glory was from 1917 through 1924, when the famous "Praying Colonels" won 57 games while losing only eight and played all the nation's top teams, many current Division I universities. In 1921 Centre defeated top-ranked and undefeated Harvard 6-0 in a game still considered among the best in history; a game the College Football Hall of Fame considers one of the two greatest upsets in college football history.

Centre's second sustained period of excellence was in the mid-1950's when the '54, '55, and '56 squads compiled 16 straight victories. The undefeated '55 team also received an invitation to compete in the Tangerine Bowl in Florida.

Since 1980, Centre football has achieved another high level of excellence with 13 conference championships including a crown in 2003. In addition, Centre has had 12 all-American representatives since 1984. Also, in 1999, Teel Bruner, a 1985 graduate, was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Bruner is Centre's second inductee, joining Bo McMillan in the hall. Additionally, Centre football players have been named Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player 11 times since 1989, including current stand-out Lorenzo Engleman in 2003. Centre has also dominated the all-conference team with 148 first-team selections since 1980. In addition, Cam Demmerle, a 2000 grad, was awarded the National Football Foundation's Scholar Athlete of the Year Award in New York City.

Centre's history of success, and the honors and accolades that have been awarded to the players and coaches over the years, are evidences of a special spirit that imbues Centre College football. The current coaches and players continue to build on this tradition of excellence in pursuit of an even more glorious future.