Weissinger Nabs WNY Scholar-Athlete Accolade

Senior offensive lineman named 2006 WNY College Football Scholar-Athlete

Gerry Weissinger

BUFFALO, NY – A Western New York native, Gerry Weissinger (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) stayed close to home for his collegiate football career and is one of three student-athletes being honored as 2006 Western New York College Football Scholar-Athletes of the Year by the Western New York Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

Weissinger, a sociology major, started every game of his senior campaign with the University at Buffalo Bulls at the right tackle position. He entered the season as the most experienced offensive lineman on the squad and earned himself the title of UB Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Weissinger used his 6-5, 310-pound body to bully the opposing defensive line and help create an impermeable front line to protect UB’s offensive backfield. The success of Weissinger and the offensive line is reflected in the performance of UB’s redshirt freshman running back James Starks (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls). Behind a hard-working offensive line, Starks was able to rush for 709 yards and six touchdowns in his first season, including a 162-yard performance against Kent State. At the conclusion of the season, Starks was named to the All-Mid-American Conference Second Team and became an honorable mention on The Sporting News’ Freshman All-American list.

Weissinger and Buffalo State’s Justin Huebbers were chosen from four-year colleges while Jacob Wasniak of Erie Community College received the junior college division award. One of the three gridiron stars will be selected as the top scholar-athlete at a dinner Monday night in Blasdell, NY and will become eligible for a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship awarded by the National Football Foundation later this year.

Also representing the Buffalo Bulls at tonight’s dinner will be Angus McClure, UB’s offensive line coach.

12/18/2006