NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut State University football coach Rich Cavanaugh has announced the first incoming student-athletes who have signed to play with the Owls for the upcoming 2010 season. The group of 11 is comprised of: Connor Bray (Glastonbury, Conn.), Dominick Diglio (East Haven, Conn.), Kyle Empey (Middleboro, Mass.), J.W. Forte (Everett, Mass.), Alex Kershaw (Foxboro, Mass.), Jack Mallis (Windham, Maine), Ryan McLaughlin (Tompkins Cove, N.Y.), Desean Nzegwu (Staten Island, N.Y.), Tevin Padilla (Bloomfield, N.J.), Mustaqiim Plair (New Haven, Conn.) and Peter Tiemann (Windsor, Conn.).

“I am extremely excited to announce our early signees,” Cavanaugh said. “All of these young men are promising student-athletes that we believe will make a positive contribution to our program as we continue to compete on a national level.”

Southern Connecticut State University Early Football Signees 

Connor Bray - Glastonbury, Conn. - Suffield Academy - S - 6-2/180
Dominick Diglio - East Haven, Conn. - Notre Dame-WH HS - OL - 6-3/305
Kyle Empey - Middleboro, Mass. - Bridgton Academy - OL - 6-4/320
J.W. Forte - Everett, Mass. - Worcester Academy - RB - 5-7/175
Alex Kershaw - Foxboro, Mass. - The Taft School - S - 6-2/200
Jack Mallis - Windham, Maine - Windham HS - RB - 5-9/195
Ryan McLaughlin - Tompkins Cove, N.Y. - Albertus Magnus HS - QB - 6-3/195
Desean Nzegwu - Staten Island, N.Y. - Moore Catholic - OLB - 6-1/215
Tevin Padilla - Bloomfield, N.J. - Worcester Academy - OLB - 5-11/205
Mustaqiim Plair - New Haven, Conn. - Wilbur Cross HS - CB - 5-10/180
Peter Tiemann - Windsor, Conn. - Windsor HS - UBack - 6-4/205

In closing the year with a 6-4 mark and a share of the Northeast-10 title, the Owls also registered their ninth straight winning season and 16th straight year with a record at or above .500. The club had also reached the NCAA Playoffs in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.