Denver Signs Eight to National Letters of Intent

[Sonny]

Denver Signs Eight to National Letters of Intent

DENVER- Long stick midfielder Tyler O'Crowley (Greenwood Village, Colo./Cherry Creek H.S.), midfielders Charley Dickenson (Dallas, Texas/ Highland Park H.S.), John Dickenson (Dallas, Texas/ Highland Park H.S.), Jacob Houghton (Fort Collins, Colo./ Rocky Mountain H.S.), Jared Houghton (Rocky Mountain H.S./Fort Collins, Colo.), attackman Cameron Kerr (Denver, Colo./Cherry Creek H.S.), defender Dillon Roy (Denver, Colo./Manuel H.S.) and goalie Peyton Tyrie (Littleton, Colo./Arapahoe H.S.) have declared they will join the Pioneers in 2007.

"This is the best class that we've put together since I've been here at DU," head coach Jamie Munro said. "It's a combination of great athleticism, skill and kids with high character. Having two sets of identical twins will be fun but most importantly this class will help take the program to the next level."

Charley Dickenson a 5'7, 160 lbs, midfielder comes to Denver from Dallas, Texas where he is a two-sport athlete excelling in football and lacrosse. In lacrosse Dickenson is a two-time state champion. In 2004 he was named offensive MVP of the state finals and also earned all-state and all-district honors. He was also named to the Dallas Morning News First Team All-Area. En route to the state title in 2005 he was named all-district. In 2003, his freshman year, he was named all-district and participated in the All-Star game at the Texas State lacrosse playoffs. In football, Dickenson was named Dallas Morning News Special Teams Player of the Year in 2004 and received second team all-district honors. His high school team is currently participating in the Texas state playoffs and was named district and bi-district champions.

John Dickenson, a 5'7 160 lbs midfielder, who's Charley's twin brother, is also a two-sport athlete competing in football and lacrosse. In lacrosse Dickenson is a two-time state champion. In 2004 he was named all-state and received Dallas Morning News First Team All-Area honors. In 2003, his freshman campaign, he earned all-state and all-district honors as well as receiving Dallas Morning News First Team All-Area honors. He also earned MVP of the district playoffs and participated in the All-Star game at the Texas state lacrosse playoffs. In football, Dickenson was named Dallas Morning News Special Teams Player of the Year in 2004, sharing the award with his brother Charley. His high school team is currently participating in the Texas state playoffs and was named district and bi-district champions.

"The Dickenson brothers are incredibly dynamic players," Munro said. "They have the combination of speed, skill and field sense and will be impact players immediately."

Jared Houghton a 6'3, 215 lbs midfielder joins the Pioneers from Rocky Mountain H.S. in Fort Collins, where he is a three-sport athlete excelling in football, basketball and lacrosse. In lacrosse Houghton was named to the all-conference second team and was named academic all-state. In football he has been an all-conference honorable mention selection twice and was named academic all-state. In basketball he was named to the all-conference first team and was an honorable mention academic all-state selection.

Jacob Houghton, a 6'3, 215 lbs midfielder, who's Jared's twin brother, is also a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball and lacrosse. In lacrosse he was named first-team all-state and all-conference first team. In football Houghton earned academic all-state honors. In basketball he has earned honorable mention academic all-state honors.

"The Houghton brothers have the physical tools to dominate," said Munro. "In addition their field sense and great hands will allow them to develop into great offensive players."

Cameron Kerr, a 5'10, 175 lbs attackman joins DU locally from Cherry Creek H.S. He has been a member of the varsity lacrosse team since his sophomore year and helped Cherry Creek capture the Colorado state championship in 2005. Kerr earned all-state honorable mention honors for his efforts.

"Cameron is a very fast, athletic, strong, skilled player," Munro said. "He can really go to goal and is a very skilled playmaker. He will be a great asset to our team."

Tyler O'Crowely a 6'4, 195 lbs long stick midfielder joins the Pioneers locally from Cherry Creek H.S., where he participated in soccer, basketball and lacrosse. In lacrosse, O'Crowley earned all-conference honors in 2005, while helping his high school team to the 2005 Colorado state championship.

"Tyler is just a great athlete," Munro said. "With his speed, size and athleticism he fits in perfectly to our fast paced style of defense and transition."

Dillon Roy a 5'11, 185 lbs defensemen joins the Pioneers locally from Manuel H.S. where he earned first team all-state as a sophomore in 2004. During his freshman campaign in 2003 he earned honorable mention all-state. Roy also played with Team Colorado for six consecutive years. Roy also played hockey with the D.U. Youth team which won state in 2003 and 2004.

"Dillon is one of the best defensemen in the country," Munro said. "He's really tough, intelligent and skilled, creating the perfect defensive combination. We're pleased to have him join us."

Peyton Tyrie, a 5'8, 175 lbs goalie is another local product, who joins the Pioneers from Arapahoe H.S. Tyrie is a three year starter and four year letterwinner. He has been awarded first team all-league honors and first team all-state honors and is a four-time member of Team Colorado. He earned Rookie of the Year honors at Arapahoe H.S. for his efforts during his freshman campaign.

"Peyton is a very quick goalie with great hands," Munro said. "He has the propensity to make the big save and he is skilled at quickly getting the ball up and out, which fits into our system of play."

[byualum]

BYU had their eye on the Houghton twins, but obviously, the offer to play DI is very difficult to turn down...

[laxdad03]

BYU had their eye on the Houghton twins, but obviously, the offer to play DI is very difficult to turn down...

Difficult, but not impossible or unheard of. Oh well, win some, lose some...congrats to all the DU recruits (and to DU for gettin' em).

[Has No Left]

I have to hand it to Coach Munro; he has completely changed his approach to recruiting from 4 years ago and is leveraging the Colorado talent base; this will build support for the team and a GWLL championship is on the horizon. BYU knew about losing the Houghton's back in August. The boys got a 1/2 athletic and 1/2 academic; you can't turn that down! They will play the 2007 season then head on missions. Has Jamie discovered the BYU factor?

[laxdad03]

They will play the 2007 season then head on missions. Has Jamie discovered the BYU factor?

Now THAT'S amazing, a DI program that will put up with mission absence! BTW, how will that play with respect to NCAA eligibility requirements? Inquiring minds want to know...

[byualum]

DU had a very solid class...the only big name among the seniors they didn't get Zach Tedeschi from East HS who's going to Hopkins.

I had a chance to meet the Houghton twins in Ft. Collins during the BYU/CSU game this fall. Great guys...and I think the BYU camp is still holding out hope they may end up at the Y post-mission.

[James Foote]

Munro is really going for the hometown guys out here, and is doing a great job with it. He's putting together solid classes every season. Gotta give props to our varsity goalie, Peyton Tyrie, for his hard work.

[laxdad03]

They will play the 2007 season then head on missions. Has Jamie discovered the BYU factor?

Now THAT'S amazing, a DI program that will put up with mission absence! BTW, how will that play with respect to NCAA eligibility requirements? Inquiring minds want to know...

Can anyone add some further perspective here?

[A.J. Stevens]

NCAA eligibility requirements allow for them. I don't remember the exact process but it is addressed and no eligibility is lost during a mission.

[DG]

Denver Signs Eight to National Letters of Intent

DENVER- Long stick midfielder Tyler O'Crowley (Greenwood Village, Colo./Cherry Creek H.S.), midfielders Charley Dickenson (Dallas, Texas/ Highland Park H.S.), John Dickenson (Dallas, Texas/ Highland Park H.S.), Jacob Houghton (Fort Collins, Colo./ Rocky Mountain H.S.), Jared Houghton (Rocky Mountain H.S./Fort Collins, Colo.), attackman Cameron Kerr (Denver, Colo./Cherry Creek H.S.), defender Dillon Roy (Denver, Colo./Manuel H.S.) and goalie Peyton Tyrie (Littleton, Colo./Arapahoe H.S.) have declared they will join the Pioneers in 2007.

"This is the best class that we've put together since I've been here at DU," head coach Jamie Munro said. "It's a combination of great athleticism, skill and kids with high character. Having two sets of identical twins will be fun but most importantly this class will help take the program to the next level."

Charley Dickenson a 5'7, 160 lbs, midfielder comes to Denver from Dallas, Texas where he is a two-sport athlete excelling in football and lacrosse. In lacrosse Dickenson is a two-time state champion. In 2004 he was named offensive MVP of the state finals and also earned all-state and all-district honors. He was also named to the Dallas Morning News First Team All-Area. En route to the state title in 2005 he was named all-district. In 2003, his freshman year, he was named all-district and participated in the All-Star game at the Texas State lacrosse playoffs. In football, Dickenson was named Dallas Morning News Special Teams Player of the Year in 2004 and received second team all-district honors. His high school team is currently participating in the Texas state playoffs and was named district and bi-district champions.

John Dickenson, a 5'7 160 lbs midfielder, who's Charley's twin brother, is also a two-sport athlete competing in football and lacrosse. In lacrosse Dickenson is a two-time state champion. In 2004 he was named all-state and received Dallas Morning News First Team All-Area honors. In 2003, his freshman campaign, he earned all-state and all-district honors as well as receiving Dallas Morning News First Team All-Area honors. He also earned MVP of the district playoffs and participated in the All-Star game at the Texas state lacrosse playoffs. In football, Dickenson was named Dallas Morning News Special Teams Player of the Year in 2004, sharing the award with his brother Charley. His high school team is currently participating in the Texas state playoffs and was named district and bi-district champions.

"The Dickenson brothers are incredibly dynamic players," Munro said. "They have the combination of speed, skill and field sense and will be impact players immediately."

Jared Houghton a 6'3, 215 lbs midfielder joins the Pioneers from Rocky Mountain H.S. in Fort Collins, where he is a three-sport athlete excelling in football, basketball and lacrosse. In lacrosse Houghton was named to the all-conference second team and was named academic all-state. In football he has been an all-conference honorable mention selection twice and was named academic all-state. In basketball he was named to the all-conference first team and was an honorable mention academic all-state selection.

Jacob Houghton, a 6'3, 215 lbs midfielder, who's Jared's twin brother, is also a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball and lacrosse. In lacrosse he was named first-team all-state and all-conference first team. In football Houghton earned academic all-state honors. In basketball he has earned honorable mention academic all-state honors.

"The Houghton brothers have the physical tools to dominate," said Munro. "In addition their field sense and great hands will allow them to develop into great offensive players."

Cameron Kerr, a 5'10, 175 lbs attackman joins DU locally from Cherry Creek H.S. He has been a member of the varsity lacrosse team since his sophomore year and helped Cherry Creek capture the Colorado state championship in 2005. Kerr earned all-state honorable mention honors for his efforts.

"Cameron is a very fast, athletic, strong, skilled player," Munro said. "He can really go to goal and is a very skilled playmaker. He will be a great asset to our team."

Tyler O'Crowely a 6'4, 195 lbs long stick midfielder joins the Pioneers locally from Cherry Creek H.S., where he participated in soccer, basketball and lacrosse. In lacrosse, O'Crowley earned all-conference honors in 2005, while helping his high school team to the 2005 Colorado state championship.

"Tyler is just a great athlete," Munro said. "With his speed, size and athleticism he fits in perfectly to our fast paced style of defense and transition."

Dillon Roy a 5'11, 185 lbs defensemen joins the Pioneers locally from Manuel H.S. where he earned first team all-state as a sophomore in 2004. During his freshman campaign in 2003 he earned honorable mention all-state. Roy also played with Team Colorado for six consecutive years. Roy also played hockey with the D.U. Youth team which won state in 2003 and 2004.

"Dillon is one of the best defensemen in the country," Munro said. "He's really tough, intelligent and skilled, creating the perfect defensive combination. We're pleased to have him join us."

Peyton Tyrie, a 5'8, 175 lbs goalie is another local product, who joins the Pioneers from Arapahoe H.S. Tyrie is a three year starter and four year letterwinner. He has been awarded first team all-league honors and first team all-state honors and is a four-time member of Team Colorado. He earned Rookie of the Year honors at Arapahoe H.S. for his efforts during his freshman campaign.

"Peyton is a very quick goalie with great hands," Munro said. "He has the propensity to make the big save and he is skilled at quickly getting the ball up and out, which fits into our system of play."

Has anyone ever heard of 2 sets of twins in the same recruiting class? It must be a first...

DG

[A.J. Stevens]

Has anyone ever heard of 2 sets of twins in the same recruiting class? It must be a first...

DG

It is rare but Coach Janczyk has 2 sets of twins in his freshman class at Gettysburg this year. The set from Ohio are a goalie and an attackman. Imagine those backyard battles.

[Has No Left]

They will play the 2007 season then head on missions. Has Jamie discovered the BYU factor?

Now THAT'S amazing, a DI program that will put up with mission absence! BTW, how will that play with respect to NCAA eligibility requirements? Inquiring minds want to know...

Can anyone add some further perspective here?

Actually, it's not unprecedented. Cornell, Navy and I believe UMass have had LDS missionaries leave their programs and return to play. I know Coach Meade had Doffermeyer and Emery in recent years. All service academies allow religious service with no need to re-apply for an appointment; this is new in the last 8 years or so. Eligibility is not affected; it's still 5 to play 4 while enrolled at the institution; if your not enrolled, it does not affect it. If you signed a NLI, it becomes unenforcable after 18 months - QB Ben Olsen's transfer to UCLA from BYU after his 2 year mission is an example of that, not that D1 lax coaches really enforce NLI's anyway, but I think it will be an issue in the future.

[laxdad03]

Interesting, thanks very much for the info, Has No Left. We had heard that D1 programs pretty much just didn't go for that sort of thing. Anyway, best to all...

[byualum]

Interesting, thanks very much for the info, Has No Left. We had heard that D1 programs pretty much just didn't go for that sort of thing. Anyway, best to all...

I think DI programs might begin to shy away from it more now than in the past due to the new 18-month rule which will let a player out of his/her obligation without sitting a year if he transfers.

As Has No Left cited, this is how the Y lost Ben Olsen to UCLA and Olsen, I believe, was eligible to play this year.