Dec. 6, 2007

Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst Athletic Director Craig Barnett announced Wednesday that football coach Marty Schaetzle has agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season. The program has improved its win total in each of the past two seasons under Schaetzle.

"This contract extension gives our program stability," Barnett said. "It also rewards Marty and his staff for the improvements they've made in the program."

Schaetzle has posted a 20-44 record in six years at Mercyhurst but improved from 2-8 in 2005 to 3-7 in 2006 to 4-7 in 2007. The extension comes just as the athletic department moves from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) for the 2008-09 school year.

The football program broke numerous program records in 2007 with a potent offense. The Lakers scored a school record 353 points and averaged an all-time best 32.1 points per game. Mercyhurst scored 40 or more points in four consecutive games and defeated rival Gannon 49-28 for the coveted Niagara Cup. The Lakers also won one of the most exciting games in the history of the program, a 58-50 triple overtime thriller against Wayne State.

Individually, junior running back Richard Stokes broke the career and single-season rushing record and had five games with at least 150 yards on the ground. Senior quarterback Mitch Phillis set the career record for touchdown passes and tied the single-season and single-game records as well. Tight end Brandon Hill was the team's Most Valuable Player and was named Daktronics Second Team All-Region.

"Marty and his family are quality people," Barnett said. "They are the type of people that we want to represent Mercyhurst College, and we are excited to have them back."

Prior to his time at Mercyhurst, Schaetzle spent five years as a coach at his alma mater Bucknell. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1999 and produced the best ground attack in 19 years. He was a standout offensive lineman at Bucknell and was a team captain in 1982.