Hartford Colonials Sign Two Players, Release One
June 13, 2011 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Hartford Colonials News Release
EAST HARTFORD, CT - June 13, 2011 - The Hartford Colonials signed offensive lineman Howard Barbieri and linebacker Andy Schantz to contracts for the 2011 United Football League season. Terms were not disclosed.
The Colonials also released center Keith Gray. The former University of Connecticut standout played for Hartford in 2010.
Schantz, a native of Santa Clarita, Calif., participated in the Colonials open player tryouts June 4 in Middletown, CT. He was originally signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 2009 NFL Draft. He was released at the end of training camp and subsequently signed with the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League.
Schantz began his collegiate career at San Diego State before transferring to Portland State for his last two seasons (2007-08). During that time, Colonials head coach and general manager Jerry Glanville was the Portland State coach.
As a senior at Portland State, Schantz started 20 games and was named to the All-Big Sky Second Team after leading the team with 115 tackles. He was selected MVP by his teammates.
Barbieri, native of Leonardo, N.J., was a walk-on at Rutgers and played four years (2007-10) with the Scarlett Knights. He appeared in 46 games (27 starts) and played every position on the offensive line.
As a senior, Barbieri was the recipient of the David Bender Trophy, awarded to the top offensive lineman on the team. He was also selected to the 19th annual Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his commitment to the community.
The Colonials open the 2011 regular season Aug. 13 against the Virginia Destroyers at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. For more team information, please visit www.hartfordcolonials.com.
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