Crusader Football Salutes Its Best

SELINSGROVE, Pa. - Susquehanna University senior defensive end Frank Hanlon (Mahanoy City, Pa./Mahanoy Area H.S.) was named the football team's Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player at the team's annual Quarterback Club Awards Banquet Saturday night in the school's Evert Dining Hall and Degenstein Campus Center.

Freshman split end Mark Bartosic (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy H.S.) was named the team's Best Offensive Player while senior fullback Ryan Cidzik (Rome, N.Y./Rome Free Academy) took the Coaches' Award and senior Randy Hayes (Fogelsville, Pa./Parkland H.S.) was the recipient of the Bob Pittello Offensive Lineman of the Year Award.

Also earning honors were freshman fullback Josh Fuller (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain H.S.) and freshman defensive back Mark Costello (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra H.S.), who were chosen as winners of the Offensive and Defensive Scout Team Award, respectively. Junior fullback John Kulp (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita H.S.) was chosen as the Special Teams Player of the Year.

Together, these players helped the Crusaders to a 7-3 overall record (6-3 Middle Atlantic Conference) and its 15th consecutive non-losing season under the direction of 11th-year head coach Steve Briggs (75-37, .670).

The 6-4, 215 pound Hanlon was named a MAC Commonwealth League first-team All-Star after starting all 10 games at left end for the Crusaders. He was 3rd on the team with 55 tackles and led the team with eight sacks, 21 tackles for a loss of 89 yards, and two forced fumbles.

In just two seasons at Susquehanna after transferring from Division II Mansfield, Hanlon made 108 tackles and 13.5 sacks, along with 34 tackles for losses of 147 yards.

A history major, Hanlon is the son of Frank and Joan Hanlon.

The 6-1, 185 pound Bartosic was named the MAC Commonwealth League Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-Star after leading the Crusaders with 51 receptions for 1028 yards, averaging 20.2 yards per reception. He had 16 touchdowns to lead the team and finish 2nd in the Middle Atlantic Conference. He caught a touchdown pass in nine of the Crusaders' 10 games. He was also 4th on the team in rushing, running 26 times for 91 total yards.

Bartosic broke school records for touchdowns and yards in a season by a receiver. He was also named to D3football.com's Team of the Week after scoring three touchdowns of 46, 47, and 48 yards against Moravian. He came in third in the MAC in receiving yards, fifth in receptions per game (5.1), fourth in scoring (96 points), and sixth in all-purpose yards (1,166). Bartosic also was in the final unofficial NCAA Division III statistics ranking 22nd in points per game (9.6) and 18th in receiving yards per game (102.8).

A computer science major, Bartosic is the son of Ms. Karen Bartosic.

The 5-11, 210 pound Cidzik played in all 10 games and started one for the Crusaders. He helped the Crusaders to its 28th rank in the NCAA Division III unofficial final statistics in passing offense and 3rd in the Middle Atlantic Conference, averaging 257.4 yards per game. The offense averaged 391.4 yards per game to rank 2nd in the MAC.

One of four members of the senior class to earn four varsity letters, Cidzik ran for 20 yards on six carries this season and 395 yards and one touchdown during his career.

A public relations major, Cidzik is the son of Alan and Jan Cidzik.

The 5-11, 255 pound Hayes earned the Bob Pittello Offensive Lineman of the Year Award, named for and presented by the legendary former Crusader grid standout and longtime assistant coach. Hayes played in and started all 10 games for the Crusaders, playing both right guard and right tackle. Though Hayes, a three-year letterwinner, is listed as a senior, he has one season of eligibility remaining and plans to use it during the 2001 football season.

An information systems major, Hayes is the son of Fred and Sandy Hayes.

The 5-9, 185 pound Fuller played in five games for the Crusaders and was a member of the special teams and made one tackle, as the Crusaders allowed just 18.4 yards per kickoff return during the 2000 season.

A business major, Fuller is the son of Jerry and Gale Fuller.

The 5-7, 160 pound Costello played in eight games for the Crusaders, and made five tackles this year while seeing action on the special-teams unit.

A finance major, Costello is the son of Louise and Keith Costello.

The 5-6, 165 pound Kulp played in all 10 games for the Crusaders to earn his first varsity letter. He was a key member of the Crusader special-teams unit, as he recorded seven tackles (four solo) for the year and recovered a fumble against Juniata.

A marketing major, Kulp is the son of Ms. Debra S. Kulp.