Brockport's Salomone in elite company

SUNY Brockport head football coach Rocco Salomone became one of just five coaches nationally to take his team to the NCAA Division III playoffs in each of the last four seasons. The Golden Eagles were seeded third in their bracket in the 28-team field after their 8-1 campaign. Each of four brackets has seven teams with the first seed receiving a first round bye.

Salomone joins this exclusive group with Mark Clark of Bridgewater in Virginia, John Gagliardi from St. John's in Minnesota, Larry Kehrens from Mount Union in Ohio and Steven Mohr from Trinity in Texas. He has also led Brockport to 27 wins since the 2000 season - 11th most among the nation's 130 Division III football programs.

"These were four different teams that graduated approximately 20 seniors per season," said Salomone. "Our coaches and players have been extremely dedicated and established a work ethic needed to be successful. That and very few staff changes, good talent, good recruiting and the players have taken ownership of the program."

The Golden Eagles battled Ithaca in the first round Saturday with the winner advancing to play the winner of Allegheny and Montclair State in the second round on Thanksgiving weekend.