Golden Eagle Football Signs 23 Players to a National

							NEWS RELEASE                                                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
University of Minnesota, Crookston                                                  February 7, 2008
Office of Sports Information
Mitch Bakken- Sports Information Director
Phone: 218-281-8414 Fax: 218-281-8430
Email: bakke044@umn.edu




   Golden Eagle Football Signs 23 Players to a National Letter
                            of Intent
 (Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagle Football program has
 announced that 23 players signed a National Letter of Intent and one signed an Institutional Letter
 of Intent to play with the Golden Eagles for the 2008 season. (At release time)

 “The Golden Eagle Football staff is thrilled with the quality of this great group of student-athletes.
 We are excited about the enthusiasm that has been very apparent in our immediate region of
 Northwest Minnesota and North Dakota,” says Head Coach Shannon Stassen. “The commitment
 by the administration at the University of Minnesota, Crookston to the athletic department and the
 university as a whole was certainly the biggest factor in our success regionally. Students also
 understand that playing Division II athletics, receiving a Big Ten Degree in a private school setting
 and being a part of a great community is a special opportunity.”

 This is the sixth recruiting class for Coach Stassen and his staff. The athletic talent the team
 added today will help the Golden Eagle Football program be more competitive immediately in the
 Northern Sun Intercollegiate (NSIC).

 “Today we have added young men that understand the balance between academics and athletics
 and are focused on excelling in both areas. These students are passionate about the college
 experience and are dedicated to becoming lifelong learners,” Stassen comments. “The UMC
 athletic department and football program are committed to being a leader in the Crookston
 community through the example we set and the service we provide.”

 For more information visit the Golden Eagle Football News Page at
 http://www.goldeneaglesports.com/sports/mFootball/.

 The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the
 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Golden Eagle Hockey is a member of the
 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member
 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).




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                                 2008 Golden Eagle Football Signees
Player                                    Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (Previous School)
Myles Gorham                              DB        6’0        175       Duluth, MN (Duluth East H.S.)
Gorham is a 6’0, 175 lb, defensive back, from Duluth East High School in the North Country Conference. During his career at Duluth East, he earned All-
Conference and All-Section Honorable Mention honors. Gorham plans to major in Sport & Recreation Management at the University of Minnesota,
Crookston. He is the son of Mary Andrews and Billy R. Gorham Sr.
Scott Stenger                             TE        6’1        170       Watkins, MN (Kimball Area H.S.)
Stenger is a 6’1, 170 lb, tight end, from Kimball Area High School of the Central Minnesota Conference. He has lettered in both football and basketball in
addition to participating in solo ensemble and jazz band. Stenger received the 2008 AAA Award for Academics, Arts and Athletics and has also been on
the honor roll. Stenger plans to major in Natural Resources Wildlife Management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Doug and
Linda Stenger.
Broderick Williams                        LB        5’9        190       Minneapolis, MN (DeLaSalle, H.S.)
Williams is a 5’9, 189 lb, linebacker, from DeLaSalle High School of the Tri-Metro Conference. He was All-Conference in football and served as team
captain. Williams also lettered four years in track and field. Williams plans to major in Biology at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of
Felix and Diania Williams.
Cody Berg                                 DB        5’8        165       New Rockford, ND (New Rockford-Sheyenne H.S.)
Berg is a 5’8, 165 lb, defensive back, from New Rockford-Sheyenne High School. He was All-State in football in 2007 and All-Region performer in
football in both 2006 and 2007. Berg was also an All-Region performer in baseball and will participate in the 2008 Shrine Football Bowl. Berg plans to
major in Natural Resources Management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Trina Berg and Richard Berg.
Cody Hendrickson                          DB        5’10       185       Wright, MN (Cromwell-Wright H.S.)
Hendrickson is a 5’10, 185 lb, defensive back, from Cromwell-Wright High School in the Great Northern Conference. He was a 2005, 2006, 2007 All-
Conference team member. Following the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Hendrickson was named an All-Conference MVP back, an AP All-State defensive
back and a Duluth News Tribune All-Area team member. Following his senior season, he earned recognition as a Mr. Football finalist. Hendrickson plans
to major in Health Sciences (Pre-Physical Therapy) at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of William and Michelle Hendrickson.
Stephen Whalen                            WR        6’1        170       Oklee, MN (Red Lake County Central)
Whalen is a 6’1, 170 lb, wide receiver from Red Lake County Central in Section 8A (9-man). During his high school career, he was named All-
Conference Honorable Mention in football. Whalen plans to major in Agronomy at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Deb and Greg
Whalen.
Scott Steuck                              OT        6’6        255       Dassel, MN (Dassel-Cokato H.S.)
Steuck is a 6’6, 255 lb, offensive lineman from Dassal-Cokato High School in the Wright County Conference. He plans to major in Education at the
University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Sue and Tim Steuck of Dassal, Minn.
Gino Monaco                               LB        5’11       205       Lancaster, CA (Lancaster H.S.)
Monaco is a 5’11, 205 lb, linebacker, from Lancaster High School of the Golden League. As a junior, he was named Rookie of the Year and also
received the Academic/Athletic Award for having a grade point average of 3.33. Monaco served as team-captain for Lancaster H.S. this past season and
has also participated in track and field. Monaco plans to major in Law Enforcement at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Vince and
Ellen Monaco.
Wayne Ennis                               DL        6’2        225       Lancaster, CA (Lancaster H.S.)
Ennis is a 6’2, 225 lb, defensive lineman from Lancaster High School in the Golden Conference. He earned the 2006 Defensive Lineman of the Year
award and was recognized as a 2007 All-Valley defensive end. Ennis plans to major in Business at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son
of John and Teddi Ennis.
Baba Maiga                                TE        6’4        230       Crookston, MN (Crookston H.S.)
Maiga is a 6’4, 230 lb, tight end from Crookston Central High School in the Northern Lakes Conference. He is a three-sport athlete lettering in football (2
years), basketball (3 years) and golf (2 years). Maiga earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors in football and basketball and was a member of
the Pirate sub-section champion golf team. In the classroom, he is a member of the Honor Roll and the Crookston Central Leo Club. Maiga plans to
major in Health Sciences (Pre-Dentistry) at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Kadiatou Diarisso and Harouna Maiga.
Kolby Gruhot                              DL        6’2        240       Argyle, MN (Stephen-Argyle Central H.S.)
Gruhot is a 6’2, 240 lb, defensive lineman from Stephen-Argyle Central High School in the Top of the State Conference. During his high school tenure,
he was named the Most Valuable Lineman, an All-Conference player and a two-time 9-Man All-State recipient. Gruhot was recognized as a Minnesota
Vikings All-State team member and is a four-time 9-Man State Champion with the Stephen-Argyle “Storm”. Gruhot plans to major in Agricultural
Business at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Gary and Jane Gruhot.
Blaine Deschene                           DL        6’1        250       Argyle, MN (Stephen-Argyle Central H.S.)
Deschene is a 6’1, 250 lb, defensive lineman from Stephen-Argyle Central High School in the Top of the State Conference. He is an All-Conference and
All-State Honorable Mention player and is a four-time State 9-Man Champion with the Stephen-Argyle “Storm”. Deschene plans to major in Sport &
Recreation Management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Jon and Lori Deschene.
Lucas Claassen                            DE        6’3        235       Chokio, MN (Chokio-Alberta H.S.)
Claassen is a 6’3, 235 lb, defensive end from Chokio-Alberta High School in the Pheasant Conference. Following his junior season, he was named an
All-Conference Honorable Mention player. As a senior, Claassen earned recognition as an All-Conference and All-State player. On the basketball court,
he was a two-time All-Conference team member. Claassen plans to major in Natural Resources Management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.
He is the son of Jim and Liane Claassen.
John Watts                                LB        6’2        180       Bagley, MN (Bagley H.S.)
Watts is a 6’2, 180 lb, linebacker from Bagley High School. During his high school campaign he was named Best Rookie and Best Linebacker. Watts is
undeclared on a major at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Olen Watts.


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Justin Overby                           LB        6’3       190       Langdon, ND (Langdon Area H.S.)
Overby is a 6’3, 190 lb, linebacker from Langdon Area High School. He earned All-Region recognition following his junior and senior seasons. Overby
completed his high school career being named to the All-State Second Team. Overby plans to major in Agricultural Systems at the University of
Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Jeff and Becky Overby.
Derick Heitkamp                         QB        6’2       200       Lilburn, GA (Parkview H.S.)
Heitkamp is a 6’2, 185 lb, quarterback from Parkview High School in Region 8-5A of the Georgia High School Association. During the 2007 season, he
was name the Gwinnett County player of the month on October 7. He also earned the Outstanding Player Award and was named a Blue Chip player.
Heitkamp plans to major in Health Sciences (Pre-Physical Therapy) at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Roger and Evelyn
Heitkamp.
Josh Tahja                              TE        6’3       205       Floodwood, MN (Floodwood H.S.)
Tahja is a 6’3, 205 lb, defensive back, from Floodwood High School. He was All–Great Western Conference Honorable Mention as a sophomore, junior
and senior. Tahja also served as team captain all three years. Tahja plans to major in Golf and Turf Management at the University of Minnesota,
Crookston. He is the son of Justin Ruzynski and Jessica Rich of Floodwood, Minn.
Jacob Montgomery                        DL        6’2       270       Bellflower, CA (Mayfair H.S.)
Montgomery is a 6’2, 270 lb, defensive lineman from Mayfair High School in the Suburban League. In his high school career, he was named Most
Improved Player and Suburban League Most Valuable Player. He earned recognition as the Defensive Player of the Week and was named to the 2007
All-League First Team. Montgomery is undeclared in his major at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Jennifer Cummings and
Robert Montgomery.
Jordan Monson                           DL        6’0       220       Grasston, MN (Pine City H.S.)
Monson is a 6’0, 220 lb, defensive back, from Pine City High School. He was named First Team All-Great Polar Conference and Honorable Mention as
well as All-Section. Monson also received the team’s Senior Football Captain Award. Monson plans to major in Natural Resources Management at the
University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Vernon and Julie Monson of Grasston, Minn.
Casey Byram                             LB        5’11      175       Devils Lake, ND (Devils Lake H.S.)
Byram is a 5’10, 180 lb, linebacker from Devils Lake High School in the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC). Following his junior season he was named
an All-EDC Honorable Mention team member. As a senior, he earned recognition as an All-East Region First Team member and an All-State Second
Team linebacker. Byram plans to major in Natural Resources Management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Lauri Larson and
Carson Byram.
Alex Lopez                              RB        5’11      195       Long Beach, CA (Valley Christian H.S.)
Lopez is a 5’11, 195 lb, runningback from Valley Christian High School in the Olympic League. During his high school athletic career he was named to
the All-League Second Team in football and basketball. He was also a track team captain in 2006 and 2007. Lopez plans to major in Business
Management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Ray and Priscilla Lopez.
Jason Burdick                           LB        6’0       190       Devils Lake, ND (Devils Lake H.S.)
Brian Diaz                              WR        5’10      185

Institutional Letter of Intent
Trenton Nyhus               LB                    6’1       220       Almena, Wis. (UW- Stout)
Nyhus is a 6’1, 220 lb, linebacker from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the Lakeland Conference. In high school, he was a two-year team captain
and All-Conference player while lettering in football for four years. Nyhus plans to major in Sport & Recreation Management at the University of
Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Joetta and Randy Nyhus.




Pronunciations:
Steuck- (Stike)
Baba- (Bubba)
Maiga- (My-ga)
Whalen- (Way-len)
Tahja- (Ta-ha)
Deschene- (De-shane)
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