Audio:
Bob Spoo, Eastern Illinois
Danny Hope, Eastern Kentucky
Jack Crowe, Jacksonville State
James Reese, Tennessee State
Matt Griffin, UT Martin
Mike Hennigan, Tennessee Tech
Tim Billings, Southeast Missouri State

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July 28, 2003

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Ohio Valley Conference welcomed two new teams, four new coaches, unveiled a new logo, announced Southeast Missouri State as its preseason pick to win the conference, and its all-conference teams at its annual football media day at the Coliseum in Nashville on Monday.

Samford University and Jacksonville State University were welcomed at their first event as members of the nation's eighth oldest conference. Samford head coach Bill Gray and Jacksonville State head coach Jack Crowe joined new Eastern Kentucky head coach Danny Hope and new UT-Martin head coach Matt Griffin as the new coaches in the league heading into the 2003 season. The Conference also unveiled its new logo for 2003. The logo was designed in cooperation with Phoenix Design Works of New York and New Jersey.

Southeast Missouri State was tabbed as the favorite to capture its first ever Ohio Valley Conference football championship in 2003, according to a poll of the league's head football coaches. The Indians prevailed in a tight vote, earning five first place votes, while defending co-champion Murray State received four first place votes and was picked to finish second. Eastern Illinois, which has won at least a share of the last two league crowns, was picked third, and Eastern Kentucky was fourth. Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech tied for fifth, followed by Tennessee State, Samford, and UT-Martin.

"We have waited a long time for this," said Coach Gray. "Joining the conference gives our players the chance to prove themselves week after week. Now the games mean something so it can't help but to make us better."

Samford sophomore Cortland Finnegan earned the Bulldogs first ever preseason all-OVC honor as he was selected as a kickoff-returner. SEMO placed seven players on the team, while Eastern Illinois placed five players and Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State had four players each on the team.

Samford senior defensive lineman Darold Williams was named honorable mention. The complete 2003 OVC preseason team can be found on the OVC website at http://ovcsports.com/article.asp?articleid=45759.