April 18, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Junior outside linebacker Craig Schaefer (Fairfax, Va.) was named the winner of the Vice Admiral William P. Mack Award at halftime of Friday's annual Blue-Gold football game.

The Admiral Mack Award is given to the player voted by the coaching staff as the most improved player during spring football drills. Schaefer is the first outside linebacker to win the award in its 33 years of existence. Offensive tackle Paul Bridgers won the award last year.

"Craig Schaefer had a phenomenal spring camp, he was by far the biggest surprise," said Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo. "We were looking for guys that can come off the edge and get some pressure on the quarterback and he did a great job with that this spring. Last year he was a young guy trying to learn the schemes. Now he is more confident in what he's doing and he¹s flying around the football."

"It is exciting to win this award," said Schaefer. "I put a lot of hard work in during the offseason and during spring practice and it's nice to get some recognition for it. Playing special teams last year gave me a lot of confidence and it was a good steppingstone for the fall."

Schaefer saw action in all 13 games last fall, mostly on special teams, for a Navy team that posted an 8-5 record and won a fifth-consecutive Commander-In-Chief's Trophy.

Schaefer earned four letters in football and one each in lacrosse and swimming at Robinson Secondary School. As a senior, he was named the district player of the year.

The award was initiated in 1976 and is named in honor of Vice Admiral William P. Mack, the Naval Academy superintendent from 1972-75, who was a strong supporter of the school's intercollegiate athletic program.