ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University football hosted its yearly banquet, reflecting on the 2018 season where the Saxons won the ECAC Asa S. Bushnell Bowl with a 14-7 victory over Salisbury University on the road.
 

Senior defensive captain Cole Reed (Gratz, PA/Upper Dauphin Area) was named the 2018 Alfred University football Most Valuable Player after leading the Empire 8 Conference in tackles (130), which ranks sixth all-time in AU history. Reed was designated to wear the #32 throughout the 2018 season in honor of Nick Clark '11 who was killed in the line of duty in July of 2018.

Hal Brown Award

Offered by the family following Hal's tragic death in 1976. Hal played from 1946-1949. When first presented, the award was given to the outstanding offensive back. Since 1983 the award has been presented to the most valuable player on the offensive side of the ball. Junior center Wes Senn (Randolph, NY/Randolph) was named the Hal Brown Award winner.

The Alex Yunevich Award

The legendary Alex Yunevich coached the Saxons from 1937 thru 1976 with a career record of 177-85-12. A former All-American at Purdue University, Coach Yunevich has more wins than any other coach in Saxon's history. Thought of as a defensive genius, the Alex Yunevich Award goes to the team's Most Valuable Defensive Player. Junior outside linebacker Nick Milgate (Hilton, NY/Hilton) was named the 2018 Alex Yunevich Award winner. It is Milgate's second consecutive year earning the honor.

Special Teams MVP

Sophomore Kevin Bragaglia (Holbrook, NY/Sachem North) was named the 2018 Special Teams MVP after leading the Empire 8 punt return yards per attempt (19.3) and accumulating 20.3 yards per attempt on kickoff returns. Bragaglia also broke the school record for longest punt return with a 92-yard return in a 38-33 win over Cortland during Homecoming Weekend.

Gene Castrovillo Award

Gene Castrovillo was appointed athletic trainer at Alfred University in 1969 and then appointed athletic director in 1978 where he served until his retirement in 1990. One of Castrovillo's most notable accomplishments includes serving as a staff trainer at the Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid 1980. He was selected into the Alfred University Hall of Fame in 2007. The award is presented annually to a player that demonstrates the ability to persevere through injuries while still performing at a very high level. Gene Castrovillo was in attendance to honor Dave Carloni (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) with the award.

Following the Gene Castrovillo Award, the position coaches were brought forward to speak about the senior class. The following seniors were recognized during the ceremony:

#97 Dave Carloni

#51 Damon Neill (Rochester, NY/Webster Schroeder)

#36 Jayden Gavidia (Homer, NY/Homer)

#88 Chance Olivas (Santa Barbara, CA/William Floyd)

#16 Ryan Paris (Goshen, NY/Goshen)

#2 Michal Urban (Ridgewood, NY/Kiski Prep)

#3 Eric Graham (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale)

#8 Kyle Moore (Roosevelt, NY/Roosevelt

#13 Lewis Ortega (Bronx, NY/Herbert H. Lehman)

#85 Chris Harders (Shirley, NY/Longwood)

#7 Bryce Morrison (Kennedy, NY/Randolph)

#41 Ben Sennett (Rushville, NY/Marcus Whitman)

#32 Cole Reed (Gratz, PA/Upper Dauphin Area)

The 2018-19 senior class leaves Alfred University with the most wins by any class in a four-year span with 35 total wins. They surpassed the previous record of 33 with a dominant win over University of Rochester during the final game of the regular season. They extended the record to 35 with the win over Salisbury, marking the fourth consecutive year the AU football team had at least one win in the postseason.

The seniors were followed by a procession of Saxons that were named to the Alfred University Dean's List. Football had 41 members on the Fall 2018 Dean's List, which is up from 23 members from 2016.

Saxon Club Award

Reed was named to the Saxon Club which is given to players who grade out 90% or better and have no major breakdowns in 7-of-10 games over the course of the year.

Fred Yanni Award

Fred Yanni followed Alfred University Football from the late 1960's through the mid-80's. A retired railroad worker, Fred attended all Alfred games whether home or away. The team thought of Fred as a Good Luck Charm and as part of the team. This award goes to a freshmen who displays great enthusiasm and love for the game of football and is a great team player. Amir Massey (Rochester, NY/UPrep Rochester) was named the 2018 Fred Yanni Award Winner.

Pete DeRose Memorial Award

This award is given in memory of Pete DeRose who was respected for his character, heads-up play, scrappiness and his great love of the game. Pete played defensive back from 1979-1982. He was killed in a car accident shortly after graduation. This award is given annually to a defensive back who best exemplifies all of the fine characteristics of Pete DeRose. Senior Lewis Ortega is the 2018 recipience of the Pete DeRose Memorial Award.

Trenchman of the Year Award

The Trenchman of the Year Award goes to an offensive or defensive lineman that excels on the field and embraces the mentality that winning is more important than personal glory. Senior Dave Carloni was honored as the 2018 Trenchman of the Year.

Bob Carley Memorial Award

Bob Carley was an inspiration to everyone on the team. He was one of the greatest linebackers in Alfred football history. He played inside linebacker and was instrumental in helping Alfred win an ECAC Championship in 1986 and lead the defense to national recognition. In his senior year, he led the team with 122 tackles and two interceptions and two quarterback sacks. He was named an All-American following his final season. In 1988, Bob died suddenly while at an Army base in California. Bob Carley was selected in the fall of 2015 in to the AU Hall of Fame. It was very touching to listen to friends and family reminisce about the kind of person that he was. The winner of this award displays a great attitude, has tremendous work ethic and is a very disciplined football player. Junior Leo Pamphile (Spring Valley, NY/Spring Valley) was honored with the 2018 Bob Carley Memorial Award.

Purple & Gold Awards

Sophomore Will Coats (Keeseville, NY/Saranac Lake) was named the Offensive Scout Player of the Year and first-year De'Vonte Fountain (Buffalo, NY/South Park) was named the Defensive Scout Player of the Year.

The Saxons will open the 2019 season on the road at Thiel College on September 7. To view the complete 2019 football schedule click here.