Cardinal Newman announces the best players in it's 50 year history

WEST PALM, Fla. - Cardinal Newman High School announced today the members of the All Newman 50 Year Football Team as well as four Distinguished Crusaders. The announcement kicks off a week of special events celebrating 50 years of Cardinal Newman football excellence.

The 103-member All Newman Team was selected by an eight person panel that included coaches, players and community leaders. The selection panel utilized objective criteria including: Professional Football Careers, High School All American selections, Division I Game Selections, All Conference, All Regional and All District Selections.

The Members of the All Newman Team (list attached) include:

 6 Professional Football Players:
• Craig Erickson
• John Carney
• Jacoby Ford
• Abram Elam
• Chris T. Jones
• Marvin Dyett

 13 High School All Americans:
• John Romano
• Paul Daly
• Bucky McGann
• Mike Kissner
• Larry Kissner
• Craig Erickson
• Alonzo Jefferson
• Andy Kissner
• Davy Ford
• Abram Elam
• Brendan Gibbons

 2 Current Division I Players:
• Brendan Gibbons – Place Kicker – University of Michigan
• Kevin Garvy – Defense End – University of Central Florida

 Scholarship Players at the following Colleges:
• Notre Dame
• University of Florida
• FSU
• UM
• SEC Schools
• Ivy League Schools - 16
• Military Academies- 8
• Members of National Championship Teams - 5
• Super Bowl Ring Recipients - 1

 Newman Football Family in Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame:
• Bucky McGann
• Sam Budnyk
• Bernard F. Grall
• Skeeter Norley
• John Carney
• Jack Kokinda
• Craig Erickson
• Alonzo Jefferson
• Paul Dee
• David McIntosh

For the complete roster, click here www.cardinalnewman.com

In addition to the all Newman 50 year team, four Distinguished Crusaders awards have been announced:
• Drew Meyerowich – West Point Graduate, Colonel U.S. Army, Silver Star
Recipient for his bravery in “Black Hawk Down”

• Paul Dee – Paul Dee graduated from Cardinal Newman in 1964. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1970, and began a career as a teacher and athletic director at Glades Central H.S. He received his M. Ed and J.D. degrees from the University of Miami in 1973 and 1977. In 1993 he was named the University's Director of Athletics and served in that capacity until 2008. Dee currently teaches in the Law School and the Graduate School at the University.

• Dr. Frank DeLucia – Frank A. DeLucia, M.D., M.S. – Orthopedic Surgeon was Team Doctor for 28 years

• John Dyett – First African American to play football at Cardinal Newman High School in 1967.

Sam Budnyk, Newman’s original football coach, who molded the Newman football program and led the Crusaders to a Palm Beach County record of 278 victories during a 43-year-career, commented: “Over 2500 men have represented Cardinal Newman on the football field during the past 50 years. Every one of our football student athletes has been uniquely special. I consider each player like my own son and I am overwhelmed by the achievements Newman has recorded over the past 50 years. From Newman’s first football practice in 1961 Newman’s football philosophy has been simple: ‘not to be as good as you can be, but better than you ever thought you could be.’ To my knowledge no other school in our area has taken the time and energy to celebrate its football tradition. Of course, Newman’s 50th football celebration is just another example of Newman being on the cutting edge of football excellence. With former players coming from all corners of the United States for the Newman 50th football celebration, I know that the next week will be full of emotion and nostalgia. Fortunately, I have experienced countless great Newman football moments over the past half century. However, none will equal the pride and satisfaction that this 50th year celebration will bring. And best of all, I will be with my men!”

Current Newman Football Coach Steve Walsh preparing to take his undefeated Crusaders against traditional powerhouse Pahokee on Friday night took time out to reflect upon Newman’s 50th football celebration: “One of the major reasons that I chose to come to Cardinal Newman was the tradition of football excellence that had been established at Newman. It has been my privilege to work with my student athletes to write the next chapter of the Newman football legacy!”