Clarion noseguard Troy Bowers (Sr. Columbus, Ohio, Westerville South HS) was named today as a First Team All-American by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette at noseguard for 2003.

Bowers was also recently named as a First Team All-American by D2 Football and Second Team All-American by CoSida/Daktronics.

Last Friday Bowers played in the "Cactus Bowl" All-Star game, which invites the top players in Division II to play in the annual event in Kingsville, Texas. The 11^th Annual "Cactus Bowl" was won by the West 30-27 in overtime over the East. Bowers posted 5 tackles in the game for the East.

Bowers, a 6-0, 290-pound, senior, noseguard, earlier this year earned his second straight PSAC-West "Player of the Year" award by posting 65 tackles (35 solo), leading the entire PSAC with 24 tackles for loss for -60 yards, secon din the PSAC in sacks with 9 (-34 yards), intercepted a pass against Lock Haven at returned it 22 yards for a touchdown, 1 fumble caused and recovered, 1 blocked kick and 1 break-up. He was a first team All-Region selection by Football Gazette, D2 Football and Daktronics., plus was first team PSAC-West in addition to his "Player of the Year" award.

Last year Bowers collected 70 hits, 27 tfl’s for -109 yards, 12 sacks for -77 yards, 2 fumbles caused and a blocked kick. In his illustrious career Bowers finished with 209 tackles (105 solo), 77 tfl’s for - 278 yards, 33 sacks for -183 yards, 6 fumbles caused, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 int.

A three-time first team PSAC-West selection, last year Bowers was a first team Football Gazette and D-2 Football All-America selection and a second team Associated Press. Troy is the son of Deborah Bowers and is a Liberal Studies major at Clarion.

CLARION NOTES: The Golden Eagles, under tenth year head coach Malen Luke, were 3-8 overall and 2-4 in the PSAC-West this season... Coach Luke has a 10-year record of 51-58... Clarion won its final two games of the year defeating Lock Haven 22-9 and Slippery Rock 19-17... The Eagles had a young team... Of the 44 lettermen this year, 32 were underclassmen, 17 were freshmen... Clarion opens the 2004 season hosting West Chester on Saturday, August 28^th at 6pm... The Golden Eagles will be at home in four of its first five games including hosting Glenville Sept. 18, California Sept. 25 and Edinboro October 2^nd... Ten games currently dot the overall schedule... The Eagles are seeking an 11^th game on September 11th.