McConnell, Neiss to continue football careers

Amherst resident and recent Sweet Home High School graduate Nate McConnell, and East Amherst resident and recent St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute graduate Robert Neiss, have selected Baldwin-Wallace (Ohio) College to continue their education and play football for the Yellow Jackets.

McConnell, who plans to major in business administration, comes to Baldwin-Wallace after completing a four-year football career at Sweet Home, in which he also played baseball.

The 5-foot-8, 160-pound wide receiver earned honorable mention All-Western New York accolades in addition to being the team's most valuable receiver and captain as a senior. McConnell caught 18 passes totaling 381 yards and four touchdowns last season.

McConnell is the son of Gregory and Kathleen McConnell.

Neiss, whose major is undecided, will seek playing time as a tight end, center, or long snapper. In four-years at St. Joseph's in which he earned two varsity letters in both football and baseball, Neiss turned in an outstanding career.

As a senior, he was nominated for All-Western New York Academic Football Team and was also the special teams' MVP. Neiss also plans to play baseball at Baldwin-Wallace. Neiss is the son of Paul and Jeanne of East Amherst.

The Yellow Jackets finished 7-3 overall in 2006 and open the 2007 campaign ranked 21st nationally in Division III.