July 31, 2007 
Contact: Mike Christie, Sports Information Director

N.C. Wesleyan Picked to Win 2007 USA South Football Title

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - N.C. Wesleyan College, under the direction of fourth-year Head Coach Jack Ginn, was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to win the USA South Athletic Conference football title in 2007. For the first time in conference history, the preseason poll was released at the annual USA South Football Media Day. The Battling Bishops have yet to claim a USA South title but placed third in the standings last fall which was the best finish in school history. N.C. Wesleyan finished 2006 with a 6-4 overall record and a 5-2 mark in USA South play.

N.C. Wesleyan received six of eight first place votes (48 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Christopher Newport University, the five-time USA South co-champions, finished second in the balloting with 44 points and the remaining two first place votes. Methodist University placed third in the poll with 33 points while Averett University, which claimed a share of the USA South title last season, was fourth with 31 points. The bottom half of the preseason poll featured Maryville College with 27 points, Ferrum College with 17 points, Greensboro College with 15 points and Shenandoah University with nine points.

The 2007 USA South football schedule kicks-off on Saturday, September 1 as six teams begin their seasons with non-conference action.
 

2007 USA South Coaches Poll
Rank	Institution (1st place Votes)	Pts.
1.	N.C. Wesleyan (6)	48
2.	Christopher Newport (2)	44
3.	Methodist	33
4.	Averett	31
5.	Maryville	27
6.	Ferrum	17
7.	Greensboro	15
8.	Shenandoah	9