Saint Xavier University - News

[Football] Check Out This Amazing Write-Up on Jimmy Coy on ESPN Chicago

Rob Huizenga — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:45:00 -0600

CHICAGO - Saint Xavier University former standout quarterback Jimmy Coy (Park Ridge, Ill./Valdosta State/El Camino College/Maine South) was featured in a recent blog regarding the Chicago Bears' upcoming three-day rookie mini-camp, which begins on Friday, May 10. Coy was the 2012 NAIA Football Player of the Year after leading the Cougars to the semifinals of the 2012 NAIA Football Championship Series with 3,427 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. He caught the eye of NFL scouts after his impressive workout at Northwestern University's pro day in early March.

[Football] Saint Xavier's Coy Drawing Interest From Chicago Bears

Rob Huizenga — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:25:00 -0600

CHICAGO - Saint Xavier University former standout quarterback Jimmy Coy (Park Ridge, Ill./Valdosta State/El Camino College/Maine South) was invited to try out in a Chicago Bears rookie mini-camp this May. The 6-0, 210 pound signal caller was named the 2012 NAIA Football National Player of the Year back in December and helped the Cougars win the University's first national championship back in December 2011 when he was named the Outstanding Offensive Player of the Game. Coy showcased his skill sets at Northwestern's Pro Day in March and drew the interest of a number of pro scouts.

[Football] SXU Football Stays Busy With Service; Prepares for Spring Scrimmage

Rob Huizenga — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:30:00 -0600

CHICAGO – As usual, it has been a pretty busy spring for the Saint Xavier University football team. In addition to their typical schedule of offseason workouts and practice sessions, the Cougars have also found the time to help out around the south suburbs of Chicago. Last Wednesday, SXU held a football training camp for children at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Chicago. On Saturday, the Cougars spent the day cleaning up at Mount Greenwood Park near the Chicago campus. The football team has a busy week ahead wrapping up its spring practice sessions and hosting its annual spring scrimmage on Friday, April 26, at 4:30 p.m. at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field in Chicago. The scrimmage is free to the public and there will also be a "Split the Pot" raffle held during the event.

[Football] Zackery Wins NFF�s Chicago Metro Chapter Mental Toughness Award ...

Rob Huizenga — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:20:00 -0600

Westchester, Ill. – Saint Xavier University senior wide receiver Shane Zackery (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic) was honored by The National Football Foundation (NFF) Chicago Metro Chapter earlier this week when he received the Chapter's Mental Toughness Award Monday evening in Westchester, Ill. Zackery was one of three local collegiate football players to receive the award joining Northern Illinois defensive tackle Nabal Jefferson and Northwestern University offensive tackle Patrick Ward. Last December, Zackery became the first football player in SXU history to be named one of 15 finalists for the 2012 NFF's National Scholar-Athlete Class and made the trip to New York City to be honored at the 55th Annual NFF Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

[Football] Two Rockford Boylan Preps Sign With Saint Xavier Football

Rob Huizenga — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:15:00 -0600

CHICAGO – Extending a pipeline that has produced some high level talent for the Saint Xavier University football program over the years, head coach Mike Feminis was thrilled with the recent signings of linebacker Tyler Sharp and defensive back Matt Johnson out of Rockford Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford, Ill. Sharp brings a 6-1, 200-pound frame and hails from Caledonia, Ill. Johnson is a Rockford native who comes in at 5-11 and 165 pounds. Both played for John Cacciatore as seniors at Rockford Boylan Catholic High School.

[Football] Three Northwest Indiana Preps Sign With Saint Xavier Football

Rob Huizenga — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:00:00 -0600

CHICAGO – Continuing the tradition of finding quality high school football players right across the state line, Saint Xavier University head coach Mike Feminis was pleased to announce Thursday the addition of three talented preps from the Northwest Indiana area who will join his 2013 recruiting class. The trio includes wide receiver Aaron Dye (Merrillville), offensive lineman Sean Jones (Crown Point) and defensive back Tyler Smith (Crown Point). Feminis strongly believes that all three of these players have the potential to make immediate impacts next fall in the Cougar football program.

[Football] Four Local Prep Standouts Commit With Saint Xavier Football

Rob Huizenga — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:30:00 -0600

CHICAGO – After announcing the additions of six talented linemen from the Chicago South suburbs earlier this week, Saint Xavier University head coach Mike Feminis continued to show that the level of high school football talent in the area is second to none when he released the names of four more local prep standouts who will make up his 2013 recruiting class. The group includes defensive back Jake Lemming (Lemont), wide receiver Dennis Vilimek (Andrew), quarterback/running back Robyn Pondexter (Julian) and punter Joe Pavlik (Mount Carmel). Feminis is thrilled with the skill sets that each of these players bring to their respective positions and strongly believes that most, if not all, of this group will compete for playing time right away.

[Football] Saint Xavier Football Beefs Up Both Lines With Area Talent

Rob Huizenga — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:00:00 -0600

CHICAGO – Paying homage to the common belief that success in football starts up front, Saint Xavier University head coach Mike Feminis was pleased to announce that the first six commitments of his 2013 recruiting class were all linemen, three offensive and three defensive. All six of the new recruits also have ties to the Chicago south suburbs as well. Headlining the group are a pair of defensive lineman transfers in Austin Copely (Grand Valley State/Joliet JC/Lincoln-Way East) and Marcus Maas (Culver Stockton College/Tinley Park). The four remaining signees are all prep standouts from the area including defensive lineman Josh Hickey (Marist), and offensive linemen Alex Zaleski (St. Rita), Kevin Lonergan (Oak Lawn) and Ronald Luce (Oak Lawn).

[Football] SXU Football Moves Back to Midwest League; Releases 2013 Schedule

Rob Huizenga — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:40:00 -0600

CHICAGO – After six years of playing in the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Mideast League, the Saint Xavier University football team will move back to the Midwest League for at least the 2013 and 2014 campaigns. SXU was one of the charter members of the MSFA back when the league formed in April 1993 and spent a majority of the program's history playing in the Midwest League before realignment prior to the 2007 season moved the Cougars over to the Mideast League. Saint Xavier also released its 2013 schedule on its website this week. Some of the highlights for the upcoming season include an opener at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field against 2012 NAIA National Champion Marian University (Ind.) on September 7 and a big Homecoming match-up against No. 17 Grand View University (Iowa) on October 5.

[Football] Saint Xavier Lands 10 Players on 2012 MSFA All-Academic Team

Rob Huizenga — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:50:00 -0600

Findlay, Ohio – Headed by junior offensive lineman Brian Studnicka (Palos Hills, Ill./Stagg) with a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.91, the Saint Xavier University football team had 10 of its players earn a spot on the 2012 Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) All-Academic Team when the team was released by the league Friday morning. The remaining players to make the team were junior defensive lineman JD Barchard (Crystal Lake, Ill./Sioux Falls/Crystal Lake South), senior wide receiver Shane Zackery (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic), senior linebacker Mike Bushnell (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew), junior Zach Dolph (Crest Hill, Ill./Joliet Catholic), junior kicker/punter Spencer Nolen (Columbia, Tenn./UT-Chattanooga/Columbia Central), senior wide receiver Chase Catton (Washington, Ill./Washington), junior defensive back Jacob Ghinazzi (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic), junior wide receiver McHale Smith (Grand Haven, Mich./Spring Lake) and senior defensive lineman Ryan Miles (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake South).

[Football] Check Out This Photo Gallery From the 2012 Football Banquet

Rob Huizenga — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:15:00 -0600

CHICAGO - The Saint Xavier University football program held its annual postseason banquet on Sunday, January 13, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Alsip, Ill. Nearly 225 people attended the event and the annual season awards were recognized and distributed. Some of the highlights and key awards included junior Nick Pesek winning the 2012 Cougar Award, senior Jimmy Coy winning the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and the announcement of the 2013 SXU captains (Zach Dolph, Jacob Ghinazzi, Tim Ladd, Dave Marciano and Nick Pesek). It was also announced that the Cougars will move over to the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League next season and open the 2013 campaign with a home crossover game against the 2012 NAIA National Champion Marian University Knights.

[Football] Saint Xavier Football Receives FieldTurf Team of the Year Award

Rob Huizenga — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:00:00 -0600

Nashville, Tenn. – Finishing the 2012 season with an 11-2 overall record and its fourth straight appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series Semifinals, the Saint Xavier University football team was honored as the "NAIA Team of the Year" when FieldTurf announced the annual winners of its FieldTurf Football Awards Sunday at the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Convention in Nashville, Tenn. The FieldTurf Team of the Year Awards acknowledge teams at all levels of sport that show a passion for the game along with dedication to team play. FieldTurf announced awards in 19 different categories for the 2012 season Sunday, including team and head coach honors from the NFL through high school.

[Football] Saint Xavier�s Munizzi Receives NAIA Rimington Award

Rob Huizenga — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:45:00 -0600

NEW YORK – Saint Xavier University senior center Matt Munizzi (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita) was the 2012 recipient of the prestigious NAIA Rimington Award when the honor was announced by the Rimington Trophy committee Thursday afternoon. The award recognizes the most outstanding centers at the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II and Division III levels as well as the NAIA. This year's Rimington Trophy, awarded to the best center at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, went to University of Alabama's Barrett Jones. The Rimington Trophy and Awards are overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF) and has raised over $100 million for CF research. Munizzi is the first player from SXU to earn the national award and just the second player from the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) to claim the honor since the NAIA version began in 2003.

[Football] NFF and Fidelity Highlight the 2012 Faculty Athletics Representative Honorees

Rob Huizenga — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:45:00 -0600

DALLAS – The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today the names of the 15 faculty athletics representatives who will be honored as part of the 2012 NFF Faculty Salute Initiative, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, honoring the significant contributions of faculty athletics representatives across the nation.

[Football] Coy Named Rawlings-NAIA National Football Player of the Year

Rob Huizenga — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:00:00 -0600

Rome, Ga. – Saint Xavier University senior quarterback Jimmy Coy (Park Ridge, Ill./Valdosta State/El Camino College/Maine South) has been named the 2012 Rawlings-NAIA National Football Player of the Year, announced this evening from Rome, Ga., site of the 57th Annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship. The announcement was made at the Banquet of Champions held at the Rome Forum. Coy becomes only the second player in Saint Xavier University Athletics history to earn National Player of the Year recognition. SXU Athletics Hall of Famer Colleen Kilduff claimed the NAIA's Softball National Player of the Year honor in 2006.