The 2005 football team went 10-0 in the regular season and won the program’s third Presidents’ Athletic Conference title and first since 1972. It was the first team in program history to earn an NCAA Division III playoff berth, the first to host an NCAA Division III playoff game, and the first to win an NCAA Division III playoff game (vs. John Hopkins, 28-3).
The Tomcats, who set 24 school records in 2005, ranked No. 15 by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette’s Top 40, No. 16 by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches’ Poll and No. 17 by D3football.com’s Top 25 at the end of the season.
Jack Leipheimer ’74 was the PAC Coach of the Year, the AFCA Division III Region II Coach of the Year and the Football Gazette’s South Region Coach of the Year in 2005.
“It is an honor to represent you for this Hall of Fame Induction,” said Leipheimer, who spoke for the team. “And I know I speak for all of you when I say thank you to all who have made this possible.
“Maybe the best way to describe you guys is you played with tremendous heart. 2005 was truly a special season. I am extremely proud to have been a small part of your success.
“I am even more proud of how you have impacted your families, churches, and communities over these past 16 years. You have proven that ordinary men can accomplish extraordinary things when you focus on the process of being a little bit better each day in every aspect of your lives.”
The Tomcats ranked in the top 30 in the country in 2005 in multiple team statistical categories, including: kickoff returns (7
th, 23.9 ypg), total defense (8
th, 253 ypg), rushing defense (80.3 ypg), turnover margin (24
th, +11) and scoring defense (28
th, 16.5 ppg).
Twenty Tomcats earned All-PAC recognition in 2005. Two players from the team were inducted into the Thiel College Athletic Hall of Fame as individuals in 2019 – offensive tackle
Dave Hendricks (Rockton, Pa. / DuBois) and running back
Steve Minton (Cranberry Township, Pa. / Seneca Valley).
Hendricks was named the National Offensive Lineman of the Year and a First Team All-American by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette in 2005. Named an Associated Press (AP) Little All-American, Hendricks was also named an All-American by the AFCA and D3football.com. He was also selected to play in the Aztec Bowl in Toluca, Mexico as a member of the AFCA Division III All-Stars.
Hendricks was an All-South Region First Team selection by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette and D3football.com. He was also the Regional offensive lineman of the Year by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.
Minton ran for 1,066 yards on 230 carries in 2005. He scored 114 points on 19 touchdowns. He went on to earn All-American Honorable Mention recognition from Don Hansen’s Football Gazette, as well as First Team All-South Region accolades. He was also named to the D3football.com All-South Region Second Team.
Others who received national postseason accolades from the 2005 team include:
Wide receiver
Brandon Chambers (Farrell, Pa. / Farrell)
• All-American Second Team by Football Gazette and D3football.com
• All-South Region First Team by Football Gazette and D3football.com
• Regional Co-Offensive Player of the Year by D3football.com
Free safety
Darious Thompson (Nassau, Bahamas / West Oak Academy (Fla.)
• All-South Region Second Team by Football Gazette and D3football.com
Defensive end
Kevin Strouse (Reynoldsville, Pa. / DuBois)
• All-South Region Third Team by Football Gazette
Defensive end
Jon Howson (Chardon, Ohio / Chardon)
• All-South Region Honorable Mention by Football Gazette
Offensive tackle
Nelton Neal (Warren, Ohio / Warren Harding)
• All-South Region Honorable Mention by Football Gazette
Senior quarterback
Darrell Satterfield (Orwell, Ohio / Grand Valley) and senior linebacker
Tom Wozniak (Windber, Pa. / Windber) were the captains of the 2005 team.
Joe Rossi was the defensive coordinator while
John Marzka was the offensive coordinator.
2021 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Video
2005 Results & Statistics
2005 All-PAC Teams
2005 Roster & Staff
