Leach to Receive 2010 New England Football Writers Nason Award for Senior Achievement
Framingham, Mass. — Framingham State University senior running back Dave Leach has been named the recipient of the 2010 New England Football Writers Nason Award for Senior Achievement. Presented since 1958 the Nason Award is awarded to the senior who has persevered against all odds to succeed in football. Leach is the first Framingham State University football player to receive the Nason Award which will be presented on December 9th at the New England Football Writers Awards Dinner.
Leach began his outstanding career with the Rams in 2008 after being away from the football field for over three years following a motorcycle accident that he was lucky to survive. During his career in the black and gold, Leach became the first FSU running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season and set a new career rushing yardage record in addition to earning All-Division honors.
Leach, a transfer from Merrimack, was driving a motorcycle that collided with an SUV in the summer of 2006. No one in the SUV sustained injuries, but Leach was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered massive injuries including a fractured sternum, shattered femur, a punctured lung and a separated shoulder. He was airlifted from Chelmsford, the site of the accident, to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston where doctors told him that he would likely have difficulty walking and would not be able to play football again after a metal rod and two screws were used to repair his damaged leg.
After spending months in the hospital and recovering at home, Leach worked tirelessly at his rehabilitation four days a week for almost a year. His hard work paid off in the fall of 2008 when he returned to the football field as the Rams running back and kick returner.
During the 2008 season, Leach became the first Framingham State running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season as he rushed for 1,034 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was the Rams leading kick returner averaging 21.4 yards per return as well a threat out of the back field making 36 catches for 317 yards and five scores. Dave was an NEFC All-Division Selection at two positions, running back and return specialist and after the 2008 season his remarkable comeback to football was featured on Boston's Channel 5.
In his second season with the Rams, Dave rushed for a school record 1,373 yards and ten touchdowns as he became the Framingham State University All-Time Leading Rusher. In 2009, he was again selected second team All-Division at running back. His finest game of the year came during a week four victory over Fitchburg State when he rushed for 272 yards on a school record 43 carries with four touchdowns. For his efforts in that game, Dave was received the Division II/III Boston Globe Gold Helmet and was named the NEFC Offensive Tri-Player of the Week.
In 2010 as a senior, Leach's play was limited by an injury sustained during a scrimmage in late August, but he has been a valuable mentor to the Rams rookie running backs. He worked his way back and had his finest game of the season during week eight when he rushed for 100 yards on 11 carries in a win over Westfield State.
Leach has left his mark on the Framingham State football record book holding four rushing records. He is the Rams all-time leading rusher with 2,604 career yards on 526 carries with 24 rushing touchdowns. He holds the single game (43) and single season (275) carry records as well as the single season rushing yardage record which he set in 2009.