August 3, 2011 - Geneva College
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August 3, 2011

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Beaver Falls, PA - For the fifth consecutive year, the football coaches, sports information directors and members of the local media gathered at Saint Vincent College for the annual Presidents′ Athletic Conference football media day. The 2011 edition, however, had a much different feel for Geneva College and the Golden Tornadoes. The 2011 campaign marks the first time that Geneva will be eligible to compete for a conference title after spending the last four years as an NCAA provisional member. With the notification from the NCAA last week, Geneva will begin full membership in Division III and the PAC beginning this fall.

Geno DeMarco, as is usually the case, was unwilling to offer much information about his 2011 club; however, the longest tenured coach in school history did offer some refreshing words of optimism as he addressed the crowd at Saint Vincent College. "It has been a long five years for Geneva College and our football program," DeMarco said. "We are all very excited and honored to have the opportunity to compete against these schools in the Presidents′ Athletic Conference. We simply have a very close group of guys that will work hard every day to give ourselves a chance to compete. We don′t have any superstars but we will be ready to compete every week."

DeMarco′s words did not seem to impress many of the voters as the Golden Tornadoes were chosen to finish sixth in the nine-team Presidents′ Athletic Conference. In a vote by conference coaches, sports information directors and media members, Geneva compiled 110 points which was seven less than both Bethany and Grove City, which tied for the fourth spot in the pre-season vote. Three-time defending PAC champion Thomas More received 232 points and 24 of the possible 26 first-place votes to hold down the pre-season top spot. Washington & Jefferson (200) and Waynesburg (165) held down positions two and three. Saint Vincent (108), Westminster (78) and Thiel (43) rounded out the voting.

Geneva, which is coming off a 5-5 mark in 2010, including a 4-4 record against PAC competition, is scheduled to open the season at home on September 3rd against Frostburg State University in a non-conference tilt. The Golden Tornadoes will play their first PAC game on September 17th on the road against the pre-season favorite Saints from Thomas More.

Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College′s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).

Aug 3, 2011