Utica College senior Bryon George (Midlakes/Geneva) was named the 2004 All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

George, a 5-foot-10, 240-pound defensive tackle for the Pioneers, is the first athlete in the Utica College football program's three-year history to be named an All-American.

George, an education major, has personal bests that include bench-pressing 420 lbs., squatting 570 lbs., and a power clean of 280 lbs. He has a vertical jump of 22, and runs a 4.9 in the 40-yard dash.

“He has an incredible work ethic and he is a leader by example, pushing others to improve,” said Jerome Tine, an NSCA member sponsor. “He is a team captain. His strength and conditioning has made him a starter, a sack leader and a run stopper.”

Starting in all 10 games for the Pioneers, George led the team with eight sacks, and 13.5 tackles-for-loss. He also had 46 total tackles (27 solo), which was the fourth highest total on the Pioneer team in 2003.

George is expected to rejoin the Pioneers, who will be entering their fourth season as a varsity intercollegiate football program, in 2004 with a year of eligibility remaining.

For more information on Utica College football, call UC