McGowan signs with Owls
bob ford/times news Marian's Brendan McGowan signs a Letter of Intent to attend Temple University on a football scholarship. Joining McGowan are, front row, from left, his father Tim McGowen, step mother Donna McGowan, Brendan, and mother Michele Martz. Back row, Director of Studies Sister Catherine Ward, Principal Sister Bernard Agnes, and football coach Stan Dakosty.
Marian Catholic has no doubt had a storied tradition of football prominence over the years. The Colts often send players to the next level and offensive lineman Brendan McGowan is keeping that tradition alive.
McGowan has signed his letter of intent to play at Division I FBS school Temple University following in the footsteps of many linemen who have made the jump from Marian to Division I competition.
At the college ranks Penn State is known as "Linebacker U" for producing many talented players that have gone on to play that very position in the NFL. The same could be said about the linemen Marian have been able to send to the Division I level, drawing the name "Lineman High."
Former Colts' Sean Love (Penn State), J.D. Hackenberg (West Point), Jamie Ryan (Notre Dame), and Mike Ryan (UConn) are all former Marian lineman who have all competed at the Division I level. McGowan is proud to have come from such a respected program and excited to honor those who have come before him.
"The history of the lineman here is great and I'm proud to be the next one to honor Marian," said McGowan. "I'm looking forward to moving on to the next step of my life, getting a good education, and working hard to continue the success of the Temple football program.
Marian head coach Stan Dakosty saw the potential in McGowan from the start and sat him down as a sophomore to make sure he knew the world of possibilities that were in front of him.
"I remember meeting Brendan (McGowan) as an eighth grader not having lifted before and obviously not being experienced," said Dakosty. "Once he got here he really started to work hard and I sat him down as a sophomore and told him he had the ability to be a special football player."
Due to some injury issues in his junior and senior seasons the 6-4 267 pound McGowan was limited to just ten games in those two seasons. The frustration of being sidelined however, never got the best of him and he continued to work towards his goal of playing at the collegiate level.
"If there's one thing I regret about Brendan's time here is that due to some injuries he didn't get to play as much as we would have liked," said Dakosty. "It hurt us as a football team, but thankfully it never discouraged Brendan's work ethic and that says a lot about the kind of person and competitor he is."
McGowan will be joining a Temple program that is on the rise and led by energetic head coach Steve Addazio. Addazio has built a solid recruiting class in 2012, which is rated number two in the Mid-American Conference by Rivals.com. Just like Dakosty Addazio believes McGowan is the right guy for the job.
"Brendan was a PA guy who we identified early. Through the process we had a chance to work with him at camp and see that he brings to us more than just a good football player," said Addazio. "He is exactly the type of player we are looking to bring into our program."
