WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University seniors Nick LoCastro (Wenonah, N.J./Gateway Regional) and Kevin Walsh (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) will be honored at separate award ceremonies on Wednesday, December 17, 2008. 

LoCastro, a four-year starter on the offensive line at Monmouth, is being honored as one of two Football Championship Subdivision players to be honored by the Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey on Wednesday night.  The former Gateway Regional player started in 40 contests for the Hawks, playing left tackle the last two years.  LoCastro was part of an offensive line that led the way for the nation's second leading rusher and Walter Payton Award Candidate David Sinisi.  Monmouth's offensive line also allowed just nine sacks in 11 games, which was eighth in the nation.  LoCastro earned back-to-back First Team All-Northeast Conference honors at the conclusion of the 2008 season.  He is the second MU player in three years to be honored by the Touchdown Club, joining Hawk David Jiles (2006).

Walsh, the 2008 NEC Defensive Player of the Year, will be presented with an award at the 38th annual awards banquet of the Gordon-Masters Memorial Football Club of Burlington County (NJ).  The senior defensive tackle became the fourth Monmouth player to earn NEC Defensive Player of the Year after wrapping up his final season with impressive numbers.  The Mt. Laurel, N.J., native finished with his career with 100 total tackles including 32 for a loss.  He also managed 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and seven pass breakups.  In 2008 he tallied 38 tackles, six sacks and 12 tackles for a loss despite missing two games with an injury.

“We have been fortunate to have many great players from Southern New Jersey over the years,” said Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan. “Kevin and Nick are two players that had impressive careers at Monmouth, and they are both extremely deserving of this recognition.”