PHILADELPHIA, PA – Rowan University linebacker Dean Hammel was honored by the Adam Taliaferro Foundation as one of its Players of the Year at a luncheon on Thursday, March 22.  The event was held at Lincoln Financial Field.

Adam Taliaferro, a former Eastern Regional High School football standout, who suffered a career-ending spinal injury while making a tackle for Penn State University in 2000 was the guest speaker.  Hammel (sr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) was joined at the luncheon by Rowan outside linebackers coach/special teams quality control Cedric Dawkins.

The foundation has raised more than $500,000 to assist injured athletes and to educate athletes and coaches on ways to prevent spinal injuries.  The organization takes part in many spinal projects, including an annual education forum which is attended by nearly 100 trainers and health care professionals.

A captain, Hammel registered a team-high 103 tackles (32 solo, 71 assisted).  He compiled five tackles for a loss (-17 yards), 1.5 sacks (-10 yards), five pass breakups, five fumble recoveries and one interception.  Hammel ranked first in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) in fumble recoveries (0.5) and second in tackles (10.3).  In the NCAA Division III statistics, he tied for first in fumble recoveries (0.5) and tied for 42nd in tackles (10.3).  This season, Hammel earned NJAC All-Conference first team honors.  He was chosen to the D3football.com All-East Region second team.  Hammel was honored as the Rowan University Player of the Year at the Dr. Warren J. McClain Memorial Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey Awards Banquet.