EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Hampton University senior punter Jahmal Blanchard will be recognized at the Eastern College Football Awards Banquet presented by FieldTurf on Thursday, Feb. 18 in the Pegasus (West) Restaurant at the Meadowlands Sports Complex.

The banquet will recognize the 2009 ECAC Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-Stars.

Blanchard (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) was named First Team All-MEAC for the third straight season after once again leading the conference in punting with an average of 43.9 yards per kick in 2009. Blanchard racked up 2,590 total punting yards in 59 kicks, recording 10 touchbacks and placing 19 kicks inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

Twelve of Blanchard's punts went 50 yards or longer, and he matched his career-long of 79 yards in a 37-0 win over Howard on Oct. 10.

The banquet will be hosted by the ECAC and FieldTurf in conjunction with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. This event also features the presentation of the 2009 Lambert Meadowlands Awards, ECAC Teams of the Year, ECAC Players and Rookies of the Year, and the Red Hill Awards recognizing ECAC Football Officials of the Year. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.