May, 17, 2015 - Graduation ceremonies were held at Concordia University Ann Arbor last Sunday with the class of 2015 receiving their diplomas after years of hard work in the classroom. The Pigskin Hooligans organization was represented by 6 former team members who earned their degrees this year. Let's take a closer look at these players' academic achievements as well as their stats on the field: Justin Litzner Degree: Master of Science in Business Administration (MBA) Season(s) played: 2012, 2013, 2014 Award(s) won: Defensive Player of the Year (2012), Individual Performance of the Year (2013), Silver Play of the Year (2013) Career stats: 14 GP, 5 TDs, 18 PATs, 2 INTs Justin graduates Concordia with a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA). He has played a big part in the Hooligans' organization over the last several years, playing for the franchise from 2012 through 2014. As a highly-touted free agent signing in 2012 Justin proved to be a PAT specialist, snagging 7 on the year, and he was also an expert flag-grabber earning him the Defensive Player of the Year Award. In 2013 he continued to be an offensive threat, earning the Individual Performance of the Year Award for his 3-TD 2-PAT INT statline in the team's 93-80 playoff win over the Pederson Painters along with the Silver Play of the Year Award for his great PAT catch in the championship game. In 2014 Justin continued to be dependable on PATs, hauling in 4, and he made numerous catches to move the team down the field and pick up first downs. Hooligan fans will wait eagerly in the offseason to see if Justin is still around Concordia as staff next season so he can continue his career with the franchise. Karlee Schaus Major: Biology Minor: Chemistry Season(s) played: 2013 Award(s) won: Bronze Play of the Year (2013) Career stats: 5 GP, 1 TD Karlee graduates Concordia with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She was a member of the 2013 Pigskin Hooligans squad which made a run all the way to the championship game. Karlee showed solid hands and good speed honed as a member of Concordia's softball team, notching some key receptions and making a great finger-tip TD catch in the championship game which earned her the 2013 Bronze Play of the Year Award. She will be going on to medical school in South Carolina after graduation, specializing in pacemaker construction. Kristina Butcher Major: Criminal Justice Season(s) played: 2012 Award(s) won: Bronze Play of the Year (2012) Career stats: 4 GP, 3 TDs, PAT, INT Kristina graduates Concordia with a degree in Criminal Justice. She was part of the 2012 Pigskin Hooligans squad which went 7-0 and claimed the first championship in franchise history. Kristina showed good hands throughout the year, catching 3 TDs along with a PAT and forming a dynamic duo with Angela Martin. She also showed a knack for the defensive side of the game, making an interception and earning the Bronze Play of the Year for her flag grab against the Big Boyz that stopped about a crazy PAT attempt in the team's semifinal playoff match. Valerie Carrillo Major: Criminal Justice Season(s) played: 2013 Career stats: 3 GP, 3 TDs Val graduates Concordia with a Criminal Justice degree. She was part of the 2013 Pigskin Hooligans squad which appeared in the championship game. Val showed her blazing speed developed as a member of Concordia's softball team, racking up explosive gains across the field and showing good hands catching the football. All 3 of her touchdowns came in the same game, the team's crazy 93-80 playoff victory over the Pederson Painters, in which she also made an impact on defense breaking up several PAT attempts by the Painters. Zach Johnston Degree: Master of Science in Educational Leadership (MSEL) Season(s) played: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Award(s) won: MVP (2010), MVP (2011), MVP (2012), Defensive Player of the Year (2013), MVP (2013) Career stats: 35 GP, 141 pass TDs, 13 TDs, 14 PATs, 10 INTs Zach graduates Concordia with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership (MSEL). He is a legend of the Pigskin Hooligans franchise, having played for the team from 2009 through 2013. In 2009 Zach helped to revolutionize the Hooligans' offense, seeing some time at receiver and eventually settling into the starting quarterback position towards the playoffs. Once the Hooligans started giving out team awards he became a regular recipient of the MVP trophy, winning the inaugural award in 2010 for his stellar play at quarterback where he set the single-season franchise record of 33 passing TDs. In 2011 Zach led the Hooligans to the championship game for the first time with his stellar quarterback play, claiming the MVP award again. In 2012 he would once again receive the MVP award as he would propel the Hooligans to a 7-0 championship season. While Zach announced his retirement following the 2012 season he would be lured out of retirement by the persuasion of Captain Russell, returning for one more run in 2013 and winning both the Defensive Player of the Year Award and MVP for his solid 2-way play. He still holds the franchise records for passing TDs in a career (141), single season (33), and a single game (9), and is tied with Micah Oetting for the single-game INT record (3). Zach Milner Major: Religious Studies Minor: Philosophy Season(s) played: 2010, 2011, 2012 Award(s) won: Most Improved Player (2011), Silver Play of the Year (2011) Career stats: 15 GP, 5 TDs, 3 INTs Zach graduates Concordia with a major in Religious Studies and a minor in Philosophy. He was a member of the Pigskin Hooligans franchise for 3 years, playing for the team from 2010 to 2012. In 2010 Zach made a name for himself as a speedy rookie, playing tough defense and using his quickness to break big gains on the offensive side of the football. In 2011 he served as commissioner of the entire league and won the Most Improved Player award after hauling in 4 TDs and an INT along with the Silver Play of the Year Award for his late game-tying TD catch against Falcons N' Stuff that forced overtime. In 2012 he was limited by a busy schedule but appeared in the team's regular season match against Big Boyz and played solid defense. The Pigskin Hooligans would like to once again congratulate all of the 2015 graduates on their accomplishment after many long years in the classroom. Each of these players has left their mark on the franchise in their time with the team. The Pigskin Hooligans would like to wish each graduate luck in their future endeavors and hope that they look back fondly on their time as a Hooligan...ROLL HOOLIGANS!
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Written by Mike Russell
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