Tarullo Honored by AFCA For Contributions to the Community

WACO, Texas -- Senior football captain Matt Tarullo (Albany, N.Y.) has been named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team, recognizing football student-athletes for their dedication and commitment to community service. Tarullo is one of 11 Division IA football student-athletes to be honored. He is the third member of the SU squad to be honored since the AFCA began this recognition program in 1992. Former SU team captains Kyle Johnson and Graham Manley were named to the team in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

"It never ceases to amaze me to see the contributions student-athletes make to their communities," AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff. "Often times, these young men are better known for the good things they do on the field. The AFCA is proud to recognize these student-athletes for the good things they do in their communities."

Tarullo’s community service activities have included speaking with third and fourth grade students at Fraser Elementary School, participating in a 2003 Boy's and Girl's Club charity basketball game, volunteering at the 2003 Leukemia Society Courage Awards Dinner and as a pee-wee football and wrestling coach in Albany, N.Y. He has also served as an intern at the Manlius Police Department. Tarullo is an active participant in Syracuse Student-Athlete Advisory Council, which leads the 'Cuse Cares community service program for the athletics department. During the Spring of 2004 Tarullo participated in an executive leadership program at the University.

To be nominated student-athletes have to be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or involved in other community service activities. Candidates have to display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved.

2004 AFCA Good Works Teams

Division I-A

Name Cl. Pos. School Head Coach Hometown (High School)

Antoine Huffman Jr. CB Kentucky Rich Brooks Jonesboro, Ga. (Lovejoy)

Jamaal Brimmer Sr. SS UNLV John Robinson Las Vegas, Nev. (Durango)

Nick Speegle Sr. LB New Mexico Rocky Long Albuquerque, N.M. (La Cueva)

Derek Curry Sr. LB Notre Dame Tyrone Willingham Sealy, Tex. (Sealy)

Raymorris Barnes Sr. CB Rice Ken Hatfield D'lberville, Miss. (D'lberville)

Taqiy Muhammad Sr. WR South Carolina Lou Holtz Wilmington, N.C. (Laney)

Luke Johnson Jr. P/PK Southern Mississippi Jeff Bower Laurel, Miss. (West Jones)

Matt Tarullo Sr. C Syracuse Paul Pasqualoni Albany, N.Y. (Colonie)

James Kilian Sr. QB Tulsa Steve Kragthorpe Medford, Okla. (Medford)