As part of the MAC100 centennial celebration, the Middle Atlantic Conference has announced its football All-Century teams. Albright was well represented, with 11 selections spanning from the 1930s to 2009.
As a part of the MAC 100 celebration, the Middle Atlantic Conference will recognize top athletes from conference history, naming student-athletes to Century Teams in each sport from each era. Eras were delineated based on conference membership and sport sponsorship. The number of individuals selected per team varies depending upon the nature of the sport. Century Teams were selected from an online fan vote combined with the MAC Sports Information Directors vote. Team members will receive a commemorative gold coin, distributed to their alma matter. Century Teams will be announced at the conclusion of each respective sport season.
Selected to the
2002-2011 team was quarterback
Tanner Kelly '10. Kelly led Albright to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2009, earning East Region Offensive Player of the Year honors. He was a two-time MAC Offensive Player of the Year, the 2006 MAC Rookie of the Year, and also earned an All-Conference nod as a punter.
Three players were selected for the
1993-2001 team, including wide receiver
Ryan Ditze '96. Ditze was a two-time All-American, earning first team honors in 1996 from Don Hansen's Football Gazette along with third team honors in 1994. He was a second team Division III All-American choice in both years. He holds the school record with 20 touchdown receptions in a season.
Bob Maro '99 was a two-time All-American, including first team honors from multiple organizations in 1996. He won two MAC championships and set school records for career interceptions (20) and single-season picks (10).
Bryan Snyder '98 was a second team All-American quarterback in 1996, and a two-time MAC MVP. He was on both conference championship teams with Maro, and holds the Albright record with 42 TD passes in a season.
A two-way player,
Jon Thorpe '92 highlights two Lion member on the
1983-1992 team. Thorpe was an All-American running back in 1990 and 1991, and an honorable mention All-American defensive back in 1989. He earned three first team All-MAC nods.
Bob Smith '85 was a two-time All-American selection at linebacker, earning honorable mention honors as a senior and third team honors as a sophomore. He holds the school record with 128 tackles in 1982.
Frankie Francks '77 was one of two Albright selections to the
1970-1982 team. The 1967 MAC Northern MVP, Francks was a two-time All-MAC and All-ECAC honoree at running back.
Another running back,
Jim Kuhn '72, was also a MAC MVP in 1972. He was first team All-MAC and All-State twice, and earned two Pretzel Bowl MVP awards.
Leading the way for the
1912-1969 team was
Leo “Moose” Disend '38. A two-time Associated Press Little All-American at Albright, Disend is the Lions' oldest selection to the All-Century squad. A tackle, Disend enjoyed a three-year NFL career, playing for the Green Bay Packers and participating in the first-ever televised pro football game as a member of the 1939 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Also selected was quarterback
Gary Chapman '61. Chapman was a first team All-American in 1961 and a two-time MAC MVP. He directed the Lions to a 22-game unbeaten streak.
Albright's final inclusion was
Dennis Zimmerman '70. An honorable mention All-American selection four consecutive years, Zimmerman earned MAC North and ECAC MVP honors. A running back, he graduated as the NCAA record holder in career carries.
MAC100 All-Century Football Teams