FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 6, 2008
CONTACT: Jeff Duggan, SID
PHONE: (303) 273-3095

Mines football signs 31 to National Letters of Intent

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines head football coach Bob Stitt has announced the signing of 31 incoming freshmen to National Letters of Intent this afternoon on the first day of the 2008 signing period. The 2008 CSM football recruiting class is comprised of players from five states, including 16 individuals from Colorado high schools.

"We are very excited to welcome this talented class of recruits to Colorado School of Mines," said Stitt, who returns for his ninth season leading the Orediggers in 2008. "This is one of the largest and most talented recruiting classes we have had during my tenure at Mines. This group of gifted athletes will help us build on the success we achieved in 2007."

Colorado School of Mines (NCAA Division II) concluded the 2007 season with a 7-5 overall record and competed in the 2007 Dixie Rotary Bowl (one of two sanctioned NCAA Division II bowl games) on December 1st in St. George, Utah. The Orediggers went 6-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) last fall and secured their sixth winning season in the past seven years.

The Orediggers are scheduled to begin their 2008 season on Thursday, August 28th, with a 7:00 p.m. non-conference NCAA Division II game at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.

2008 Colorado School of Mines football signees (as of Feb. 19th, 2008)

COLIN BAKER
Kicker / Punter
6'2" / 177 lbs.
Cypress, TX / Cypress Creek H.S.
High School: Earned two letters in football...A First Team All-District punter...Team was District and Bi-District champs...Lettered all four years on the soccer team...Listed on the CCHS Honor Roll.

NATE BEHRENDS
Offensive Line
6'6" / 240 lbs.
Parker, CO / Ponderosa H.S.
High School: A two-time letterwinner on the football team...Team posted winning seasons during all four years of his prep career and made the playoffs his final two seasons...Earned three letters in lacrosse ...An Honorable Mention All-League selection...Listed on the Honor Roll.

ADAM COLEAN
Linebacker
6'0" / 210 lbs.
Denver, CO / Thomas Jefferson H.S.
High School: Lettered all four years in football...Selected as Defensive MVP as a junior...Garnered Linebacker of the Year and Honorable Mention All-State recognition following his senior campaign...Guided TJHS to the State quarterfinals his senior season...Listed on the Honor Roll all four years.

CARL ENRIGHT
Linebacker
6'2" / 220 lbs.
Longmont, CO / Silver Creek H.S.
High School: A three-time letterwinner in football...A two-time All-Conference selection (JR & SR)...An All-Area pick and a team captain during his senior year...Won the Raptor Award...Led Silver Creek to the playoffs as a sophomore...Earned three letters in basketball...An Honorable Mention All-Conference pick...Served as a captain his final season...Led team to a Conference title his sophomore season...Team made the playoffs during his junior year...Earned a pair of letters on the track & field team...Competed on the baseball squad...Registered high score at the American Math Contest...A four-year Academic letterman...Won Outstanding Geometry, Outstanding Math Analysis and Outstanding Business Student awards.

SAM FRAZIER
Linebacker
6'2" / 223 lbs.
McCook, NE / McCook H.S.
High School: Earned three letters in football...Garnered All-State, Academic All-Conference, All-District and All-Area accolades following his junior and senior seasons...Team was Class B State runner-up in 2005 and 2007...Guided squad to District titles in 2005, 2006 and 2007...Lettered all four years on the wrestling team...Placed fourth at State championships...A three-time letterwinner on the track & field team...Placed second at State championships...Earned All-State, Academic A member of the National Honor Society...Listed on the Merit Roll all four years...Recipient of the Leadership Awards...Earned Academic All-State recognition (2006-07).

BOBBY GADDIS
Defensive Line
6'4" / 190 lbs.
Mabank, TX / Mabank H.S.
High School: Earned three letters in football...A two-time Honorable Mention All-District selection (SO & JR)...Garnered Second Team All-District and First Team Academic All-State recognition as a senior ...Led team to playoff appearance and Co-District title in 2006...Team won the Bi-District title in 2007...Earned one letter in basketball...An Academic All-District qualifier (JR)...A member of the National Honor Society...Recognized as a J.C. Leader of Tomorrow.

JOSH GEIST
Defensive Back
5'10" / 165 lbs.
Minden, NE / Minden H.S.
High School: A three-time letterwinner in football...Earned Honorable Mention All-State, All-District and All-Region honors...Led team to the State playoffs...Lettered all four years on the track & field team...A three-time State qualifier...Led team to State championships...Earned one letter on the wrestling squad...Competed on the basketball team... Three-time qualifier for the Honor Roll...Member of the National Honor Society...Earned the Academic Athlete Awards.

LEO GRACHEV
Tight End
6'6" / 225 lbs.
Boulder, CO / Fairview H.S.
High School: A three-time letterwinner on the FHS football team... Led team to the playoffs in 2006 and 2007...Played basketball his freshman year.

JAMES HOLLAND
Tight End
6'3" / 195 lbs.
Morrison, CO / D'Evelyn H.S.
High School: Lettered all four years in football...Earned Honorable Mention, All-Conference and Second Team All-State laurels his junior year...Selected as Rookie of the Year as a freshman...Earned one letter on the lacrosse team...A five-time qualifier for the Honor Roll.

NICK JONES
Linebacker
6'1" / 196 lbs.
Lone Tree, CO / Highlands Ranch H.S.
High School: Earned a pair of letters in football...Served as a captain his senior season...Led HRHS to the State playoffs in 2006 and 2007 ...Earned First Team All-League honors on defense and Second Team All-League accolades on offense his senior year...An Honorable Mention All-League selection as a junior...Won the Black Falcon and Weight Room Work Ethic awards in 2007...Lettered all four years on the rugby team...Team captain in 2008...Led squad to the State semifinals in 2006...An Academic letterman (2006-07).

HENRY KAETZER
Defensive Line
6'1" / 210 lbs.
Spring, TX / Klein H.S.
High School: A two-time letterwinner in football...Selected as team's Most Improved Player and Best Defensive Lineman...A Second Team All-District selection...Led KHS to second-place District finish and an appearance in the State playoffs his junior year...Guided squad to the second round of the State playoffs his final season...A member of the National Honor Society.

JORDAN KEHOE
Wide Receiver
5'11" / 170 lbs.
Golden, CO / D'Evelyn H.S.
High School: A four-year letterwinner in football...Served as a team captain his final two years...Earned First Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State recognition as a junior...Garnered First Team All-Conference, First Team All-State and League Special Teams MVP accolades following his senior campaign...Led team to the playoffs in 2007...Represented the football team on the Athletic Leadership Council...Earned a pair of letters on the track & field team...Led team to League title in 2006 and State appearance in 2007...Also played basketball and baseball.

RYNE LINDLEY
Wide Receiver
6'3" / 177 lbs.
Elysian Fields, TX / Elysian Fields H.S.
High School: A two-time letterman on the football squad...Earned All-District accolades as a junior...Named All-District on offense and defense as a senior...Garnered Second Team All-County, Second Team East Texas and Honorable Mention All-State accolades at the conclusion of his final season...Earned recognition on the AP Poll and the TSWA poll as a senior...Led team to State playoffs his final two years...Earned a pair of letters on the track & field team...Earned one letter in baseball...Listed in Who's Who...Member of the National Honor Society.

PRESTON LINSER
Defensive Line
6'4" / 264 lbs.
Phoenix, AZ / Northwest Christian H.S.
High School: A four-year letterman in football...Earned Second Team All-Conference laurels as a sophomore...A First Team All-Conference selection as a junior...Earned 2A Central Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-Small School accolades following his senior season...Earned three letters on the track & field team...Took sixth place in the shotput and eighth in the discus at the State championships in 2007...Played on the basketball team all four years...Member of the National Honor Society.

TONY MEDINA
Quarterback
6'1" / 180 lbs.
Pueblo, CO / Pueblo South H.S.
High School: A three-time letterwinner on the football team... Garnered All-State and Pueblo Foothills League Offensive MVP honors following his senior campaign...Earned First Team All-Conference accolades as a senior...A Second Team All-Conference pick on defense and an All-Conference selection on special teams as a junior...Guided team to undefeated regular seasons during his final two years...Earned a pair of letters on the track & field team...Listed on the Honor Roll.

BILL MERCER
Running Back
5'11" / 184 lbs.
Highlands Ranch, CO / Arapahoe H.S.
High School: A three-time letterwinner in football...Served as a team captain his senior year...Earned Honorable Mention and Second Team All-League recognition...Lettered all four years on the lacrosse team... Listed on the AHS Honor Roll.

CASEY MILLS
Wide Receiver
6'1" / 183 lbs.
Lakewood, CO / Bear Creek H.S.
High School: Earned three letters on the football team...Served as a team captain in 2004, 2005 and 2007...A First Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State pick in 2007...Garnered Second Team All-Conference laurels as a junior...Led his freshman team to the championship game...Guided team to the State quarterfinals as a junior ...Led Bear Creek to the State semifinals his senior year...Earned Honorable Mention Academic All-State recognition during his final two years...Recipient of the Academic Excellence Award (2005 and 2006) and the "Hit-Man" Award (2006)...Earned one letter on the Bears' track & field team...Earned First Team Academic All-State recognition as a junior...Participated in DECA.

DANIEL MOOSE
Defensive Back
6'1" / 181 lbs.
Cypress, TX / Cy-Fair H.S.
High School: Earned two letters in football...Served as a team captain and garnered All-District honors his senior season...Led team to State quarterfinals...Earned one letter on the track & field team...Listed on the Honor Roll.

JUSTIN NEAL
Wide Receiver
5'11" / 185 lbs.
Baytown, TX / Ross S. Sterling H.S.
High School: Earned three letters in football...Selected as team MVP and team captain...Earned First Team All-District honors on special teams...A Second Team All-District selection on defense...Qualified for the All-State Academics Team...Earned three letters in track & field...Guided team to District and Regional titles in 2007...Led squad to third-place finish at State championships...A three-time letterwinner on the basketball team...Listed in Who's Who and Top Teens...Member of National Honor Society.

DAN PALMER
Running Back
6'2" / 220 lbs.
Greeley, CO / University H.S.
High School: A four-time letterman in football...Earned All-State, All-Conference and Conference Offensive MVP honors his senior year... Earned Honorable Mention All-Conference accolades as a sophomore ...An All-Conference pick following his junior season...Selected as Rookie of the Year as a freshman...Lettered all four years on the basketball team...Garnered All-Conference laurels and established an individual single-season school rebounding record as a junior...Earned four letters in baseball...A two-time All-Conference selection (SO & JR)...Guided the baseball and hoops teams to a pair of Sweet 16 appearances...Earned one letter in track & field.

TYLER PAULSEN
Defensive Back
6'1" / 180 lbs.
Omaha, NE / Omaha Burke H.S.
High School: Lettered all four seasons in football...A two-time All-District selection...Led team to District title and an appearance in the State semifinals as a sophomore...Team was a State qualifier his freshman and senior seasons...A three-time letterwinner on the baseball diamond...Garnered All-District recognition as a junior...Led team to District title (SO) and an appearance at the State championships (JR) ...Played one season on the basketball team...Earned Academic All-State recognition in football and baseball...Member of the National Honor Society...A Student Ambassador.

DAVID PAWELEK
Quarterback
6'2" / 210 lbs.
Smithson Valley, TX / Smithson Valley H.S.
High School: A two-time letterwinner in football...Named Honorable Mention All-State...Selected to the Greater San Antonio Super Team...Garnered First Team All-District laurels...Earned recognition on the Comal County Super Team...Led team to the Regional finals... Earned two letters in baseball...Guided team to the Regional quarterfinals...Member of the National Honor Society...A two-time Academic All-District performer...Named Second Team Academic All-State.

CODY RENKEN
Wide Receiver
5'9" / 160 lbs.
Smithson Valley, TX / Smithson Valley H.S.
High School: Earned two letters in football...Named First Team All-County and Second Team All-District as a junior...Garnered First Team All-County, First Team All-District, First Team All-State and San Antonio Super Team accolades following his senior year...Led team to Regional finals...A two-time letterman on the track & field squad...Earned one letter on the basketball team...Earned Second Team Academic All-State and Academic All-Distict recognition.

CURTIS RODDY
Offensive Line
6'3" / 273 lbs.
Grapevine, TX / Faith Christian School
High School: Earned a pair of letters in football...Garnered First Team All-State and First Team All-District honors following his final two seasons...Earned recognition as a DFW Private School All-Star and served as a team captain his senior year...Named to the DFW Star Telegram Private School Super Team...An All-Star team captain in 2007...Voted #1 defensive lineman in Division III...Guided his team to the 2006 State semifinals...Led squad to a District title and State runner-up finish his senior season ...A two-time letterwinner in track & field and powerlifting.

ZANE SIGAFOOS
Linebacker
5'11" / 180 lbs.
Firestone, CO / Niwot H.S.
High School: Earned a pair of letters in football...An Honorable Mention All-Conference pick as a junior...Garnered All-Conference, All-Area, All-Region and Honorable Mention All-State accolades as a senior...Earned two letters in baseball...A three-time First Team Academic All-State performer (2004-06).

BEAU SCHNEIDER
Linebacker
5'11" / 180 lbs.
Aurora, CO / Cherokee Trail H.S.
High School: Four-year letterman in football...Earned First Team All-State recognition on offense as a senior...An Honorable Mention All-Conference pick on defense as a junior...Recipient of the the John Lynch Award following his senior season...Led CTHS to the State semifinals his senior year...Earned four letters in baseball...Guided team to a State runner-up finish his sophomore year...Guided team to a State championship his junior season...A four-time First Team Academic All-State performer...Earned a pair of Academic letters.

IAIN SMITH
Offensive Line
6'2" / 253 lbs.
Centennial, CO / Arapahoe H.S.
High School: Earned two letters on the football team...An Honorable Mention All-Conference selection following his junior year...A Second Team All-Conference pick as a senior...Earned a pair of letters on the track & field squad...Competed in lacrosse.

ANDY SPENCER
Linebacker
6'0" / 186 lbs.
Lakewood, CO / Green Mountain H.S.
High School: Earned three letters on the Rams' football team...A First Team All-Conference selection following his senior season...Garnered Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition as a sophomore and junior...Honorable Mention Academic (2006).

IAN SQUIER
Linebacker
6'1" / 188 lbs.
Denver, CO / Thomas Jefferson H.S.
High School: A three-time letterwinner on the TJHS football team...A First Team All-Conference selection following his senior year...A two-time Honorable Mention All-Conference pick (SO, JR)...Earned Academic Honorable Mention recognition in 2006.

SEAN SWEENEY
Defensive Back
5'10" / 190 lbs.
Plano, TX / Plano West H.S.
High School: Earned three letters in football...Garnered First Team All-District and Second Team All-County honors while leading PWHS to the Bi-District playoffs as a senior...A three-time Defensive Player of the Week, two-time Special Teams Player of the Week and one-time Offensive Player of the Week selection...Named Second Team All-District and guided team to a Bi-District playoff appearance during his junior campaign...Recipient of Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week accolades as a junior...A three-time letterwinner on the track & field team...Played one season on the basketball team.

KENT WEINKAUF
Offensive Line
6'4" / 250 lbs.
Tulsa, OK / Bishop Kelley H.S.
High School: Lettered in football...Earned All-District honors...Guided BKHS to three playoff appearances...Team was ranked in the top 10 during three years of his prep career...Served as co-captain...Member of the 450+ Dead Lift Club...Lettered in wrestling...Listed on the Honor Roll...Involved in the Pre-Engineering Program.

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