LaSalle Lands Diamond In The Rough In Dudinski
March 29, 2007
PHILADELPHIA, PA - March 23rd, 2007 marked the one year anniversary of the hiring of head Explorer football
coach Tim Miller. Much has happened in the past year. The Explorer football program played its first night game
in program history before one of the largest crowds to see an Explorer game. During the summer, $2.5 million
was put into the stadium in which the program practices and plays their games. As the program worked diligently
to get involved in La Salle and the surrounding community (most players and coaches serve as Big Brothers at
local Logan Elementary), they showed great improvement in the classroom. In the fall of 2006, 78% of the
players in the program improved their overall GPA (39 players had over a 3.0 GPA).
Although getting the job late in the recruiting process in 2006, Coach Miller and staff brought in a great freshman
class with 10 members having starting roles at some point in the season. As the youth of the program matured, it
began to show on the field with the season ending with a 37 - 28 victory over St. Peter's.
The members of the team now understand the philosophy of the program. Not only have the players been
working in the classroom and community, but in the gym and weight room. Explorer members had close to 100%
attendance while they were running the conditioning program a few times a week at 5:45am. Coach Brian
Bingaman, Explorer's strength and conditioning coach, has commented on the strength increase and work ethic
of the players. The atmosphere has been described by people visiting the Explorer Football Program during the
current recruiting period as unique and special. During the 2007 recruiting periods, some of the best
student/athletes in their respected regions have visited the La Salle University campus.
Coach Miller and the staff are excited to announce the 2007 recruiting class. "Our staff, players and other
members of the La Salle community has worked extremely hard to spread the mission and philosophy of our
program. We are a group of people that believe in the things we can achieve on and off of the field," stated
Miller. "We have a philosophy in recruiting that we do not believe in pressuring individuals to make decisions.
We never speak poorly about other institutions, but chose to only speak of the great things here at La Salle. We
do not want people to come to our University if it is not the right fit. We believe that it is going to take special
individuals to see our vision and work to accomplish our lofty goals. Our current kids deserve to only have people
that believe in the things we are working so diligently to achieve in the classroom, community and on the football
field."
If it is "special people" that Miller and the staff were looking for, it is "special people" that have committed to
becoming Explorers. Although the class is not totally complete, as you read about each recruit and their
accomplishments it is easy to see that this group is special. The staff is going to bring in 35 recruits. Currently 27
have committed to be an Explorer this fall. The staff will choose another eight to complete this great class.
Commitments are currently occurring on a daily basis.
This class currently consists of 14 players from Pennsylvania, seven players from New Jersey, four players from
DC, one player from Virginia and one player from Florida. The staff has traveled up and down the East Coast
looking for the proper individuals for the program. Deric Dudinski, Virginia Player of the Year, is one of many
talented players choosing La Salle University. Below is the complete 2007 recruiting class as of Thursday, March
29th.
Official Press Release From LaSalle University.
