Ewing, NJ... The College of New Jersey football was selected to finish seventh in the New Jersey Athletic Conference according to pre-season ballots cast by the 10 head coaches competing in the league. NJAC football affiliate member SUNY Cortland received the nod as the 2010 pre-season favorite.

The Lions, led by head coach Eric Hamilton, finished the 2009 campaign with a 4-6 overall record. They shared the sixth-place slot with The College at Brockport, who matched TCNJ with a 3-6 conference record.

Hamilton enters his 34th season at the head of the program compiling a career record of 196-30-6. He is four wins shy of win number 200. The former All-American center anointed senior offensive lineman Joseph Mecca, Jr. (Monmouth Jct., NJ/Monmouth Jct.) and senior defensive back Matthew Kreider (Delran, NJ/Delran) co-captains earlier this year. TCNJ has more experience on the defensive side of the football going into 2010 and should maintain its offensive prowess with a versatile attack. 

"The keys to the season will depend upon the ability of the offense to control the ball with its running game and the defense must stop the big plays," noted Hamilton. "This season we'lll see a new quarterback at the helm and pre-season camp will be a tell-all for the upcoming season."

The season opener is set for Friday, September 3 under the lights at 7 p.m. at Lions' Stadium against William Paterson University. The Pioneers were picked to finish fifth in the poll and were also selected as the conference dark horse.

SUNY Cortland received four, first-place votes followed by Montclair State (3), Kean University (2), and Rowan University (1). 

NJAC release and complete poll