Stup honored by WVC

November 22, 1996

PRINCETON, W.Va. - Coming off its best season since1992, the Shepherd College football team placed 11 players on the 1996 West Virginia Conference All-Star team, including four who earned first-team honors.

Senior defensive lineman Greg Stup became the sixth Shepherd player since 1982 to be named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. His league-leading 13 sacks made him a near-unanimous choice.

Stup, a graduate of Frederick High School, became Shepherd's all-time sack leader this season. His 33 1/2 sacks are four more than Mark Brower's previous record.

Joining Stup on the first team were freshman running back Damian Beane, sophomore offensive lineman Brian Lamb, and junior linebacker Robert Mason.

Beane led the conference and finished fifth in the nation with 169.8 rushing yards per game. He also rushed for over 200 yards a school-record three times and set a Shepherd record with 265 yards rushing against Fairmont State.

Lamb was the only non-senior among the five first-team offensive lineman. He helped lead the way for an offense that generated 419 yards and 30.2 points per game.

Mason, who transferred to Shepherd last spring, finished second on the team with 86 tackles - including four for losses - and two sacks. He also forced a team-high four fumbles.

Three players earned second-team honors. Senior offensive linemen Chris Purdham and Steve Nicholson joined defensive back Mike Pitts on the second team.

The selection for Purdham marked the third straight season he has garnered all-star honors. Nicholson was selected for the second straight season.

Pitts, a graduate of St. James School, enjoyed a stellar first season with the Rams. He finished third on the team with 57 tackles and added three pass breakups and one interception.

Linebacker Heath Gilbert, who led the Rams in tackles (92) and tackles for losses (15), earned honorable mention recognition.

Joining Gilbert as an honorable mention selection was tight end Tim Ready, who led the Rams with 37 receptions for 604 yards and seven touchdowns.

Juniors Chad Broadwater and Mike Brand both earned special honorable mention.

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