Nichols College senior DL Bill Hassett (Oxford, Mass.) has been selected to play in the 2010 Division II/III All American Bowl. Hassett will compete against college football players from across the country in the all-star game, set for March 27th at Laidley Field Stadium in Charleston, W.Va.
Hassett, a three-time All-New England Football Conference selection and the 2006 NEFC Co-Defensive Rookie of the Year, has been a force on the defensive line for four seasons. Despite missing two games with injury in 2009, he finished the season with the most tackles per game among all defensive linemen and 12th among all players in the NEFC with 8.4 per game. He posted three 10+ tackle games and finished 18th in the nation in tackles for a loss with 1.81 per game – a total of 14.5 for a loss of 38 yards in eight games. Hassett ranked fifth in the NEFC with six sacks, helping Nichols to the conference's third-highest team total (24). He also pulled in All-Worcester Area honors for the third-straight year, earning a spot on the First Team for the second consecutive season.
Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach Galen Holmes nominated Hassett for the game, saying, “Over the last four years Bill has been a tremendous asset to the Nichols College football program not only because of his ability, but also because of the example he has set with his hard work and commitment to being the best. This game gives him the opportunity to showcase his ability against the best players around the country, and I'm thrilled to have Bill represent Nichols on a national stage.”
“I'm really excited to play in one more game, especially against some of the best players in the country,” said Hassett. “I can't wait to represent Nichols at the All American Bowl. Coach Holmes has been helping me work on my conditioning and agility. I can't thank him enough for not only nominating and preparing me for this game, but for his presence within the program.”
The All American Bowl was founded in 1996 to give athletes the opportunity to compete against the best at their level in an all star game setting. In April of 1996, the first All American Bowl was played in Minnesota and has since been played at various cities across the country including Atlanta, Miami, and Las Vegas. The All American Bowl also gives athletes the potential to be scouted by professional football teams, and has different games for different levels of competition that include Division II, Division III, Junior College, Minor League Football, Free Agent, and High School. Many participants in the All American Bowl games have gone on to further their career in professional leagues, and the number of these athletes grows each year.
Hassett added that he is grateful to the Oxford Police Department for sponsoring him for the 2010 Division II/III All American Bowl.
“I really appreciate the Oxford Police Department for assisting me by sponsoring my game fees. I am grateful that they recognized what a tremendous honor this is for me, and how eager I am to play in one last game.”
The 2010 DII/DIII All American Bowl is slated for March 27th at Laidley Field Stadium in Charleston, W.Va. Fans can find out more about the game by visiting the All American Bowl website at http://www.allamericanbowl.com/ .
