From the west coast to the east coast to the southern tip of the country, the largest freshman football class in school history will take the field at CWRU this September.

Forty-seven newcomers and 41 returnees will fill the Finningan Field complex at the start of this football season. So many names for CWRU Head Coach Joe Perella to remember, but a problem the second-year Spartan football skipper is more than happy to have.

CWRU Football Head Coach Joe Perella

"There is always strength in numbers," said Perella. "We are excited about the kids that are coming in terms of both their academic and football skills. It looks like we are going to have a little depth."

Perella got a late start last year at CWRU in terms of recruiting; he wasn't hired until mid-March. He still managed to turn the struggling Spartan football program around as the team finished 5-5 (winning their last three) after two consecutive sub-par seasons. The team finished at 3-7 in 2000 and 2-8 in 1999.

Of the new recruits, 19 are from Cleveland-area high schools and thirty-two total in the freshman class are from Ohio. The remainder, eleven, come form outside the state. As far west as Santa Monica, Calif., and as far east as Northfield, Mass.

CWRU also has four players arriving from Florida.

"We think this is an extremely capable class," said Perella. "These guys can help us right away."

Perella attributes much of his recruiting success to being familiar with this area, its coaches and players. He was offensive coordinator at John Carroll University for six years and head coach at University School, Beachwood and Cathedral Latin High School.

"We are thrilled about getting so many local kids," said Perella. "They were all coached well and played in good competition."

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