THIEL'S LEIPHEIMER NAMED AFCA REGION II COACH OF THE YEAR

Kevin Fenstermacher
Sports Information Director
75 College Ave.
Greenville, PA 16125
Phone - 724.589.2187
Fax - 724.589.2880
kfenstermacher@thiel.edu
www.thiel.edu/athletics

For Immediate Release: December 5, 2005

THIEL'S LEIPHEIMER NAMED AFCA REGION II COACH OF THE YEAR

GREENVILLE, Pa. (Dec. 5) -- After posting an undefeated 10-0 regular-season record and leading the Thiel College football team to their first NCAA Division III playoff birth, Tomcat head coach Jack Leipheimer was named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region II Coach of the Year.

“What makes this award so special is that this is the only coach of the year award voted on exclusively by the coaches themselves,” AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff said. “The winners are selected by the coaches they compete with and against on a daily basis.”

The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s four divisions: I-A, I-AA, Division II (NCAA Division II and NAIA schools) and Division III. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.

Leipheimer guided Thiel to an 11-1 overall record, the program's first Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) title since 1972 and its first-ever playoff victory this season. The Tomcats tied or set 24 school records this season while their 10-0 regular-season mark was the program's first undefeated season since 1950. Their 38-35 overtime win over Washington & Jefferson College was the program's first against the Presidents since 1981.

The AFCA began recognizing district coaches of the year following the 1960 season. The awards were established the same year Eastman Kodak agreed to sponsor the AFCA Coach of the Year award. Prior to 1960, the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain had sponsored the program, which recognized one national Coach of the Year.

The AFCA first recognized eight district winners in each of two divisions: university and college. In 1972, a ninth district was added in each division.

In 1983, the award was changed to recognize regional winners instead of district winners. The number of divisions was increased from two to the four we now have, and five regional winners were selected in each division. This resulted in a more equitable selection process and better represented the make-up of the membership. At the same time, the new system increased the number of honorees from 18 to 20.

The AFCA will announce its four National Coach of the Year winners on Jan. 10 at the 2006 AFCA Convention in Dallas. All head coaches who were eligible for regional honors are eligible for national honors as well.

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www.thiel.edu/athletics

		Kevin Fenstermacher Sports Information Director 75 College Ave. Greenville, PA 16125 Phone - 724.589.2187 Fax - 724.589.2880 kfenstermacher@thiel.edu www.thiel.edu/athletics

For Immediate Release: December 5, 2005 THIEL'S LEIPHEIMER NAMED AFCA REGION II COACH OF THE YEAR GREENVILLE, Pa. (Dec. 5) -- After posting an undefeated 10-0 regular-season record and leading the Thiel College football team to their first NCAA Division III playoff birth, Tomcat head coach Jack Leipheimer was named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region II Coach of the Year. “What makes this award so special is that this is the only coach of the year award voted on exclusively by the coaches themselves,” AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff said. “The winners are selected by the coaches they compete with and against on a daily basis.” The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s four divisions: I-A, I-AA, Division II (NCAA Division II and NAIA schools) and Division III. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions. Leipheimer guided Thiel to an 11-1 overall record, the program's first Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) title since 1972 and its first-ever playoff victory this season. The Tomcats tied or set 24 school records this season while their 10-0 regular-season mark was the program's first undefeated season since 1950. Their 38-35 overtime win over Washington & Jefferson College was the program's first against the Presidents since 1981. The AFCA began recognizing district coaches of the year following the 1960 season. The awards were established the same year Eastman Kodak agreed to sponsor the AFCA Coach of the Year award. Prior to 1960, the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain had sponsored the program, which recognized one national Coach of the Year. The AFCA first recognized eight district winners in each of two divisions: university and college. In 1972, a ninth district was added in each division. In 1983, the award was changed to recognize regional winners instead of district winners. The number of divisions was increased from two to the four we now have, and five regional winners were selected in each division. This resulted in a more equitable selection process and better represented the make-up of the membership. At the same time, the new system increased the number of honorees from 18 to 20. The AFCA will announce its four National Coach of the Year winners on Jan. 10 at the 2006 AFCA Convention in Dallas. All head coaches who were eligible for regional honors are eligible for national honors as well.






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