INDIANA STATE FOOTBALL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER NO. 6

INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
Volume One, Number Six
March 29, 2008
Editor: Tom James, TJames1475@aol.com

SYCAMORES TO BEGIN SPRING DRILLS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 30 AT MEMORIAL STADIUM; THE TRENT MILES REGIME BEGINS IN EARNEST

(Editor's note: I plan on being there Sunday afternoon for the start of spring practice. While I know this is a last minute request, but it would be great if any former players/coaches living within a reasonable driving distance of Terre Haute could be there as well to show support for Trent Miles and the football program.)

The Indiana State football program, under the direction of first-year head coach Trent Miles, will open spring practice drills on Sunday, March 30 at 3:00 p.m. inside Memorial Stadium. The workout is expected to last two hours.

Sunday’s practice is the first of 15 spring workouts which culminates with the annual Blue/White Spring Football Game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m.

In addition to the full scrimmage on April 19, the day’s events begin with a Junior Preview Day at 8:30 a.m. on campus (contact assistant coach Kyle Caskey at 812-237-3812 for more information) and will continue with a Free Youth Fun Day at 10:00 a.m.

The Free Youth Fun Day will be a complete football experience which is being organized and run completely by the ISU Football student-athletes. The activities will include a meet-and-greet with the ISU football team plus an outdoor bar-b-que prior to the spring game. This portion of the day is open to all youth from those entering first to eighth grades next academic year. Fans can get more information on this by calling the ISU Football Office at 812-237-4074.

On Friday, April 18, the Athletics Department will host the 2nd Annual Jay Barrett Athletic Foundation/Ballyhoo Golf Outing at Idle Creek Golf Club which will raise funds for the ISU Football program.

The outing begins at 11:00 a.m. with lunch and the golf begins at 12:30 p.m. with a shotgun start. The day concludes with dinner inside The Ballyhoo at 5:00 p.m. Fans can enjoy lunch, golf and dinner for just $85.

Those interested in obtaining more information about the event or to register should call John Sherman at 812-237-3047.

The Sycamore roster will consist of over 60 student-athletes vying for depth chart positioning heading into the fall. It will also be the first opportunity for the new coaching staff to evaluate the team and begin to implement the new offensive and defensive systems as well as get extensive work on football fundamentals.

“I am very excited to open spring football practice as a head coach because I have been waiting for this day to come for the last 22 years,” Miles commented. “I am excited to get this program back to playing Sycamore football which means we are going to play as hard as we can for as long as it takes to win.

"This spring we are going to focus on developing toughness, discipline as well as completely install our schemes and perfect the way we execute them. This is a big spring for our program as it will give our coaching staff the chance to evaluate the team in a football setting.”

A complete schedule of the 2008 Spring Football Practice schedule follows. All practices are open to the media as well as the general public.

INDIANA STATE SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE: (COPY AND SAVE)
Practice #1: Sunday, March 30 (3:00-5:00 p.m.)
Practice #2: Tuesday, April 1 (5:30-7:15 a.m.)
Practice #3: Thursday, April 3 (5:30-7:15 a.m.)
Practice #4: Friday, April 4 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
Practice #5: Saturday, April 5 (10:00 a.m.-Noon) – SCRIMMAGE
Practice #6: Sunday, April 6 (3:00-5:00 p.m.)
Practice #7: Tuesday, April 8 (5:30-7:15 a.m.)
Practice #8: Thursday, April 10 ((5:30-7:15 a.m.)
Practice #9: Friday, April 11 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
Practice #10: Saturday, April 12 (10:00 a.m.-Noon) – SCRIMMAGE
Practice #11: Sunday, April 13 (3:00-5:00 p.m.)
Practice #12: Tuesday, April 15 (5:30-7:15 a.m.)
Practice #13: Thursday, April 17 ((5:30-7:15 a.m.)
Practice #14: Friday, April 18 (5:30-7:15 a.m.)
2nd Annual Jay Barrett/Ballyhoo Football Scholarship Golf Outing (Idle Creek)
Practice #15: Saturday, April 19 (1:00 p.m.) – BLUE/WHITE SCRIMMAGE

FORMER SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR ED MCKEE REMEMBERS INDIANA STATE

Editors note: Ed McKee was the sports information director at Indiana State University back in the “Golden Age” of Sycamore Sports. He was there with Larry Bird and the great run of success by the men’s basketball team in the late 1970s and he was there when the men’s gymnastics team won a co-NCAA championship with Olympic medialist Kurt Thomas.

He was also there when the wrestling team had success with another Olympic medialist, Bruce Baumgartner, and the baseball team began its run of NCAA tournament appearances (former Sycamore infielder Wally Johnson led the nation in hitting in 1979).

Since leaving ISU, Ed has worked at different places, including being the media relations director for the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. While he is now the associate athletic director at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., he still has fond memories of his time in Terre Haute and at ISU.

He recently sent me an email with some of his thoughts of Indiana State athletics and has graciously given me permission to reprint his comments. By the way, and it’s just my thoughts on the matter, but Ed should be a member of the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame.

I had the great pleasure of learning the sports information business from the ground level as a student at Indiana State and there was no one better to learn from than “Big Ed.”

While the school has had some good sports information directors over the years (and I feel like I worked with most of them), no one did it any better – and with more class -- than Ed McKee (with a skeleton staff to work with).

Here are his comments. I hope that you find them as enjoyable as I did.

Hello Tom,
As I have read each of your very interesting ISU Football Alumni newsletters, seeing the many, many names takes me back to my nine years as Indiana State's Sports Information Director (from 1971 through '79). I recognize all the names of the '70s players, head coaches and assistant coaches, student managers, athletic administrators, plus other key support staffers, such as equipt mgr. John Wolf and his assistant Russ Brannum.
So many memories...
I remember those hot and humid pre-season 'media days', players in full uniform--minus helmets--on Memorial Stadium's hard-as-a-rock AstroTurf surface. Man, did the Turf soak up the heat in late August! There were group photos (by hometown, by positions, by years--often times with a head coach or an assistant also in the photo), individual head shots (remember the lengthy hair styles?) and then the crazy posed action shots, as well as team pix up in the bleachers.
We also would sit in the steamy locker room doing interviews for hometown newspapers as well as features for the TH Star and TH Tribune. Print reporters such as Tom Reck, Carl Jones, Andy Amey, Carl Bender and, once in a great while, Jimmy Claus dropped by. There was the loyal 'Voice of the Sycamores', Bob Forbes of WTHI Radio and TV, God rest his soul, who stopped by daily to say hello to the coaches and players, and do his TV/radio interviews for the evening TV sports or morning drive-time sports.
We all experienced our ups and downs. I still vividly remember freshman kicker David Vandercook drilling a game-winning 50-yd field goal (on the second try--after a SIU off-sides) as the game ended to stun SIU in Carbondale on the Salukis' 're-dedication game' in their remodeled stadium. I recall defensive back/kick return specialist Rick Murphy leading the nation one season in kickoff return yardage with 707 yds.! Lots of bus rides and a few plane rides, including one emergency landing returning from Western Carolina.
Of course, there was Sycamores' All-America runningback Vincent Allen, the best back this side of Archie Griffin of Ohio State, and Bobby Poss, a gung-ho Academic All-America guard featured in Sport Magazine. Conversely, I was at Memorial Stadium that tragic spring practice Saturday morning when the late Fred Rensing, then a young offensive lineman, was injured in a life-changing block-tackle collision. A very sad moment and an unfortunate turn of events.
All of us have moved on from those '70s days. However, I often wonder about ALL of the guys, both players and coaches, as well as managers and staffers. Where are they today and what are they doing with their lives, families and careers around the country and world? Indiana State was and is a special place to each of us.

A message from former Sycamores quarterback, assistant coach Bret Schnieber

Dear ISU Alums,

My name is Bret Schnieber. I played at ISU from 1991-1993, and was a coach from 1994-1997. I know many of the people on this list, and recognize many others. I hope you all are doing well. The reason I am writing is that I need the help of the ISU family.

In 2003 my niece, Ireland Reed, was born in Cincinnati with a very rare condition called Miller Syndrome, consisting of multiple facial and limb handicaps that have required many surgeries to help ensure a quality of life. Obviously this medical care is not cheap, so I have organized a benefit to help off-set some of these expenses.

On Saturday, May 31, 2008, our event will consist of a 95 mile motorcycle ride throughout southwestern OH, Brookville, IN and Batesville, IN, followed by a benefit party with a silent auction, split-the-pot, food, and drink, taking place in Ross, OH, just north of Cincinnati Everything, along with Ireland's condition, is explained in the attached flyer and letter.

Here is where you guys come in. I am looking for items to use in our silent auction...gift cards, tickets to events, services, electronics, products from various businesses, sports memorabilia, sporting goods. Anything that would generate bids in our auction to help raise money for Ireland and her parents Amy and Bryan Reed.

If you do not have access to these types of things and would like to make a donation, that will work also A trust fund is currently being drawn up to handle donations. You can make checks out to myself, and I assure you the money will be deposited in the trust. My information is included below.

I know you men are all busy at this time of year, but any help you could give would be greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,

Bret Schnieber
3368 Bauerwoods Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45251
513-233-1174

Pair of Sycamores ranked in Pro Football Weekly’s 2008 NFL Draft Preview

Wide receiver Rafael Price and outside linebacker Shonda Faulkner are both listed in Pro Football Weekly's player lists at their respective positions for the upcoming NFL draft.

Price is rated as the 112th best receiver and Faulkner is the 45th rated outside linebacker in PFW's 2008 NFL draft preview.

Both are expected to end up as undrafted free agents, although Faulkner may end up being a late-round draft pick. Last year, tight end Jamie Petrowski (Tennessee) and WR Carl Berman (Washington) were in NFL training camps. Petrowski spent most of the 2007 season on the Titans’ practice roster and was signed to the active roster in time for the post-season.

Here are their final career stats at Indiana State:

Individual Career History (Mar 27, 2008)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OLB Shonda Faulkner
TACKLES G UA A Total TFL-Yds PD FF FR Blkd
2005................ 1 3 1 4 1.0-2 0 0 0 0
2006................ 9 27 36 63 6.0-23 1 0 0 0
2007................ 11 51 62 113 5.0-9 1 1 3 0
TOTAL............... 21 81 99 180 12.0-34 2 1 3 0
SACKS G UA A Total Yds
2005................ 1 0 0 0.0 0
2006................ 9 3 0 3.0 18
2007................ 11 1 0 1.0 3
TOTAL............... 21 4 0 4.0 21
INTERCEPTIONS G No Yds TD Lg Avg/R Avg/G
2005................ 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2006................ 9 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2007................ 11 1 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
TOTAL............... 21 1 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
ALL PURPOSE G Rush Rec PR KR IR Total Avg/G
2005................ 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
2006................ 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
2007................ 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
TOTAL............... 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WR Rafeal Price
RECEIVING G Rec Yds TD Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
2005................ 11 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2006................ 11 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2007................ 10 15 225 2 63 1.5 15.0 22.5
TOTAL............... 32 15 225 2 63 0.5 15.0 7.0
TACKLES G UA A Total TFL-Yds PD FF FR Blkd
2005................ 11 43 32 75 1.0-2 2 2 0 0
2006................ 11 47 48 95 2.0-1 5 0 0 0
2007................ 10 7 1 8 0.0-0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL............... 32 97 81 178 3.0-3 7 2 0 0
INTERCEPTIONS G No Yds TD Lg Avg/R Avg/G
2005................ 11 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2006................ 11 1 19 0 19 19.0 1.7
2007................ 10 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
TOTAL............... 32 1 19 0 19 19.0 0.6
ALL PURPOSE G Rush Rec PR KR IR Total Avg/G
2005................ 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
2006................ 11 0 0 0 0 19 19 1.7
2007................ 10 0 225 0 0 0 225 22.5
TOTAL............... 32 0 225 0 0 19 244 7.6
SCORING G TD Rush Pass Retn PAT 2PAT FG Total Avg/G
2005................ 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
2006................ 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
2007................ 10 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 12 1.2
TOTAL............... 32 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 12 0.4


DEJUAN ALFONZO CONTINUES TO IMPRESS IN ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DEJUAN ALFONZO NAMED AFL IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Former Indiana State safety DeJuan Alfonzo has found a home in the Arena Football League. The Indianapolis, Indiana native has become one of the best two-way players in the AFL over the past few seasons. This is his sixth season with the AFL’s Chicago Rush.

Alfonzo, now playing linebacker, has been named the Arena Football League’s Ironman of the Week for his performance in Saturday night’s 70-35 win over John Elway’s Colorado Crush, the AFL announced today. It is the second time in four weeks Alfonzo has been recognized by the league.
Alfonzo recorded six tackles, caught two passes for 12 yards and a touchdown, rushed for a four-yard TD, and recovered an on-side kick in the win.

Professional Career: After an outstanding year in 2007, DeJuan returns for his sixth season with the Rush, having signed a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season on June 26, 2007. It was his third contract extension since originally signing with Chicago on February 14, 2003...is Chicago’s record holder for career tackles with 279 and ranks third on the team’s list with 71 career games played...In addition to playing both offense and defense for the Rush, also serves as the team’s holder on extra points and field goals...has been named ADT Defensive Player of the Game four times in his career (May 2, 2004, March 24, 2007, April 7, 2007, June 23, 2007) and Ironman of the Game nine times (February 14, 2004, May 2, 2004, April 23, 2006, May 6, 2006, May 13, 2006, April 30, 2007, May 19, 2007, May 26, 2007 and June 18, 2007) …also named Ironman of the Game twice during the playoffs (May 21, 2006 and May 28, 2006)...set an AFL record in 2007 by scoring five defensive touchdowns – three interception returns and two fumble returns … also tied an AFL record in 2007 by recovering six fumbles during the season...played for the Indiana Firebirds during the 2002 campaign before being released February 13, 2003...went to training camp with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens in 2000.

COLLEGE CAREER: DeJuan was a first-team all-America defensive back after the 1999 season at Indiana State University ... was also a two-time all-Gateway Conference selection (1998-1999)...the four-time letterwinner (1996-1999) finished his Sycamore career with 191 tackles, 10 interceptions and 26 pass breakups...set school records in blocked kicks for a career (5), blocked kicks in a season (3 in 1997) and the highest career punt return average (13.5 yards)...played in the 1999 All-Star Gridiron Classic. Personal: DeJuan R. Alfonzo was born January 12, 1977, in Indianapolis, IN ... DeJuan is single and lives in Chicago during the off-season ... children: Ashley...is a 1995 graduate of Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, where he participated in football, track and basketball...was an all-state selection in football and won the slam dunk contest at the state high school basketball all-star game...received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana State University in 2002...his best friend, Roosevelt Colvin, has played for the Chicago Bears and is currently with the New England Patriots.