LIONS WELCOME FIRST GROUP OF COMMITS TO FOOTBALL TEAM


The York University Lions football program is pleased to announce the first group of student-athletes that have committed to play for the Lions for the 2010 season.

“York Lions football is pleased with its first group of commits for the upcoming 2010 season,” said Mike Lepore, recruiting co-ordinator and assistant coach for the York football program. “These student-athletes are the first of many recruits, and they each add needed depth on both sides of the ball. They also bring a great optimistic attitude to the program and each one of them brings an individual character and toughness that will greatly compliment our team.”
Highlighting the first group of commits is Dallas Smith, who adds strength and depth to the Lions running game. A five-foot-11, 235-pound fullback from Welland, Ont., he comes to York with significant football experience.

Smith spent several years on the Niagara Spears senior team in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL), winning the league championship in 2005. He also played football at Notre Dame College School and was named the most valuable player of the team in 2006, when the Fighting Irish advanced to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championship game. Following high school, Smith played for the Vancouver Trojans of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) for two summers.

Michael Dinh is a tight end from Mississauga, Ont. The football team captain at Port Credit Secondary School last season, he was named the offensive most valuable player for the Warriors. A versatile athlete, Dinh was also a member of the basketball and track and field teams at Port Credit and was named the 2009 male athlete of the year.

On the other side of the ball, defensive players James Tuck and Jerod Butler bring experience and attitude to the Lions.

Tuck, a native of Aurora, Ont., comes to the Lions from the Newmarket Storm of the OVFL, where he played as a linebacker. He was twice named the senior team’s defensive most valuable player (2008, 2009) and was an OVFL all-star in 2009. He also holds team records for most assisted tackles in a game with seven and most sacks in a game with two.

A product of Cardinal Carter High School, Tuck follows in the footsteps of current York linebacker Steven Reading (Fenelon Falls, Ont.), who previously played for the Storm and has blossomed into a top player and leader on the Lions.

Butler is a six-foot, 280-pound defensive end from Rochester, N.Y. As a member of the football team at Edison Technical High School, he was named to the all-city defensive team twice and was a starter on the city championship team in 2004. He was also a starting centre on the varsity basketball team and won an indoor track and field title in the 55-metre race.

The York Lions begin their 2010 football season on the road Monday, Sept. 6 against the Guelph Gryphons. The home opener is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11 at York Stadium, when the Lions will play host to the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

[URL]http://www.yorkulions.ca/sports/fball/2009-10/releases/04-15_First_group_of_recruits

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