West Long Branch, N.J.- Monmouth safety/linebacker Jose Gumbs (Queens, N.Y./Hebron Academy) has been named Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while six total Hawks were selected to All-Conference teams, the league announced Monday afternoon.

"I am happy that so many of our players were rewarded for our hard work by ebing named to the all-conference team," said head coach Kevin Callahan.  "It's great to have Jose's efforts on the field recognized in this way by the coaches in the NEC.  He is a dominant player for us and is very deserving of this recognition.

Gumbs was one of five Hawks to earn First Team All-NEC honors, with fellow safety Kendall Haley (Olney, Md./Good Counsel), running back David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove), guard Shawn Wright (Fort Washington, Md./DeMatha Catholic) and tackle Kevin Sterling (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) also earning first team nods.  Defensive tackle David Kennedy (Fort Lee, N.J./Patterson Catholic) was name to the second team.

Gumbs, the reigning NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year, became the second straight Hawk to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors.  The redshirt sophomore led the Hawks in tackles with 95 stops (which is seventh highest single season total) despite missing two games with an injury.  He recorded double-digit tackles in seven of nine games, and averaged 10.56 tackles per game in 2009, which was 13^th in the nation. Gumbs, who normally plays safety, was moved to outside linebacker for the final three games of the season due to injuries.  He also had an interception returned for a touchdown and a blocked extra point, which he returned for a score.  Former MU defensive tackle Kevin Walsh was NEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.

Sinisi earns all-conference honors for the fourth time in his career.  The most decorated player in Monmouth's history, the running back capped off his spectacular career with 1,437 rushing yards on 300 carries with 13 rushing touchdowns.  The two-time Walter Payton Award finalist added 17 touchdowns in 2009, to finish with a NEC record 72 scores.  The fifth -year senior ran for over 100 yards in eight of 11 games as a senior and in 25 out of 42 career games.  He is the current NCAA active career leader in scoring, rushing yards and carries per game.  Sinisi's 5,049 rushing yards is the most in conference history and the 15^th most in NCAA FCS history.  He was a two-time First Team All-NEC selection, earning NEC Rookie of the Year in 2006 and NEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2008.  

Leading the way for Sinisi on the right side were offensive linemen Wright and Sterling.  Wright, a redshirt junior, makes his third appearance on the All-NEC list.  The right guard was a 2007 second team selection before earning back to back First Team All-NEC nods.  Wright started in 10 of 11 games, missing the final game of the season with an injury.  Sterling, who finished his career starting 32 straight games at right tackle, is a member of the First Team All-NEC for the second consecutive season. 

Starting his first season at safety, Haley joined Gumbs as the only two MU defenders on the First Team All-NEC.  Haley finished second on the team in tackles with 86 takedowns, which ties him for the 11^th most in school history.  The junior posted 11 tackles in two games this season, while recording three interceptions and a forced fumble.  One of those interceptions Haley returned for 65 yards and a touchdown to give Monmouth a September win over Duquesne.

Kennedy earns all-conference honors for the first time in his career after recording 33 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a senior.  The defensive tackle had six tackles-for-a-loss and a blocked kick  in 2009.  Kennedy's 13.5 sacks is ninth most in Monmouth history.