Fresno State Athletics
Seniors Last Tackle
11/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - As the rain started to drizzle over Bulldog Stadium the Fresno State football team honored the 2009 senior class with senior tackle. The tradition started 13 years ago when head coach Pat Hill first became the Dogs coach.
"This is a tradition we started 13 years ago and some other schools do it, but for us, it gives the senior players a chance to say what being a Bulldog has meant to them," said Hill.
Each year on the Friday before the last home game the team meets in Bulldog Stadium. This year 18 seniors took the opportunity to address the team. Most thanked the coaching staff, teammates and family for the help and good times during their careers and many gave advice to the younger Bulldogs.
"It's also an eye-opening experience for the younger guys because the last thing they are thinking about is being a senior, but the college career goes by fast," said Hill. "They get to see the emotions of what the last four or five years have meant to these."
Once the seniors were done speaking they run through a tunnel made up of the team and tackled the tackling dummy one last time as a Bulldog.
The 2009 senior class consists of Seyi Ajirotutu, Reynard Camp, Anthony Harding, Moses Harris, Marvin Haynes, AJ Jefferson, Isaac Kinter, Ryan Machado, Robert Malone, Frank Manquero, Lonyae Miller, Marlon Moore, Darren Newborn, Damion Owens, Richard Pacheco, Wilson Ramos, Jamaal Rashad and Chastin West.
The final home game of the season is against the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech on Saturday at 2 p.m.
