Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh football announces Class of 2008
2/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bethlehem, PA
– Head football coach Pete Lembo has announced the addition of 30 players to the Lehigh program as part of the Class of 2008. The incoming group looks to make an impact on a Mountain Hawks program that has captured more Patriot League titles than any other member institution, and is fresh off another top 25 finish in 2003."We are very excited to welcome 30 outstanding student-athletes to our football program," said Pete Lembo, who boasts a 27-8 career record through three seasons as Lehigh’s head coach. "The entire Lehigh campus community will benefit from the strong character, intellect, athleticism, and diversity this group features."
The Class of 2008 is reflective of the University’s commitment to recognition and visibility on a national level. In all, fourteen states – from Texas to Missouri, Florida to Michigan – are represented amongst this year’s group.
"We continue to make strong progress in outlying metropolitan areas such as Detroit, Dallas, New Orleans, and Atlanta," Lembo explains. "Enrolling these student-athletes serves as a catalyst to rally Lehigh alumni from those cities."
At the same time, Coach Lembo and his staff continue to make a strong commitment to recruiting the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania as a whole, and the state of New Jersey. The Mountain Hawks signed thirteen players from Pennsylvania and New Jersey in total. This year’s local crop features Boyertown offensive lineman Jimmy Kehs, and two quality skill players in Bethlehem Catholic wide receiver Pete Donchez and Andre Hall of Springfield High (Montgomery County).
"We go to great lengths in each recruiting cycle to be very thorough in the Lehigh Valley," Lembo points out. "Due to the pool of candidates this year as well as our rising admissions requirements, we did not sign the quantity of local student-athletes we have become accustomed to in recent years. However, we are confident that Pete Donchez will be a great addition to our receiving corps. Along with Andre Hall, we now have two bigger wide outs to compliment the athletic group we already have in the program."
Hall is a particularly great catch for Lehigh, as he turned down several full scholarships to become a part of the Lehigh football program.
Additionally, kicker Justin Musiek has transferred to Lehigh from Rutgers, and is already enrolled in classes. Lembo is well aware of the critical role Musiek will play in spring practice for the Mountain Hawks. "With the loss of Matt Douglas to graduation, it is a real blessing to have Justin already on campus and able to participate in spring drills," Lembo explains. "He is fitting in very nicely with our squad. The addition of all-state kicker Matt McNelis in August will create tremendous competition for the 2004 season and beyond."
"I would like to thank our assistant coaches, current players, and the football support staff for their tremendous efforts during the recruiting process," Lembo said. "We lost two full-time coaches midway through the recruiting cycle to another Patriot League institution. However, just as we have on so many other occasions, our football family pulled together, picked up the slack, and, in the end, produced some outstanding results."
The Mountain Hawks open the 2004 season at home on September 4 against the Seawolves of Stony Brook. The following week, the Mountain Hawks will face perennial I-AA power Villanova at Goodman Stadium.
