QB Brian Burrell forgoes final season
Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter announced Friday that quarterback Brian Burrell will forgo his final season of eligibility with the program.
Instead of continuing his football career, Burrell has decided to graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in communication.
Burrell accounted for 2,620 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. He had four 300-yard passing games, all coming against Mountain West opponents
After a rough start to the year, Burrell helped the Bulldogs bounce back and led them to a West Division crown and appearances in the Mountain West Championship and Sheraton Hawaii Bowl games.
“I’m very thankful for the dedication and determination that Burrell brought to our program, especially this past season,” DeRuyter said. “He now wishes to pursue other avenues with his life, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
The departure of Burrell sparks a quarterback competition between sophomore Zach Greenlee, redshirt freshman Kilton Anderson and true freshman Chason Virgil for the starting role.
Football to hold open tryouts
The Fresno State football program will hold open tryouts Feb. 18 for full-time students.
In order to be eligible, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units for the spring semester. An informational meeting will be held Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. in the Josephine Theater of the Duncan Building located near Bulldog Stadium.
Students must bring along required paperwork to the meeting. The paperwork consists of the following forms:
– A completed sickle cell solubility test form from the Fresno State Student Health Center.
– A complete doctor’s physical exam.
– The four tryout form documents that can be found at www.GoBulldogs.com
– A printout of their class schedule showing they are enrolled in 12 or more units at Fresno State.
In addition to being enrolled full time, students must be available every day from 5 a.m. through 12 p.m.
For questions or concerns, contact the Bulldog football office at 559-278-3015.
Women’s track competes in New Mexico Collegiate Challenge
Fourteen Fresno State women’s track and field athletes participated in the New Mexico Collegiate Challenge on Saturday in Albuquerque.
Freshman Tiffany Gilmore posted a collegiate-best distance in the weight throw. She recorded a throw of 58 feet, 4 inches (17.78 meters) to finish sixth. Gilmore’s performance on Saturday elevated her into seventh in the Mountain West during the indoor season, and she is the top freshman in the conference.
On Friday in the long jump, Je’Nia Sears posted a season-long 20 feet, 4.25 inches (6.2 meters) to finish third. The senior improved on her Mountain West-leading position and moved into 14th in the country in the long jump.
On that same day, the Bulldogs saw three runners finish in the top 12 of the 400-meter dash. Junior Dezirae Johnson placed third with a time of 55.93 seconds. She was joined in the top 12 by sister Kyra Johnson (10th, 56.88) and sophomore Njeri Omawahleh (12th, 57.07). Dezirae Johnson’s time ranks her third in the Mountain West and just .28 seconds out of the top spot.
That trio of athletes was joined by Kimberley Efonye in the 4×400 relay and the group ran a season-best 3:43.08. That group finished fifth in the event.
Volleyball program hires Sarah Chlebana as news assistant coach
Fresno State head volleyball coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell announced Thursday the hiring of Sarah Chlebana as the new assistant coach.
Chlebana spend the past seven seasons as an assistant coach for the Sacramento State Hornets. During her time with the Hornets she served as the teams recruit coordinator and assisted in on-floor coaching, scouting and team training.
She helped the 2011 and 2012 Hornets establish great defensive seasons, when both squads finished 13th in the nation in blocks.
Prior to her time at Sac State, she made stops at Long Island University, Belgian semi-professional team Volleybalclub Oudegem, Syracuse and Belmont University.
