Modican signs with Florida Tech

At the Feb. 1 signing day, inside Franklin County High School’s new multi-purpose room, former Seahawk standout Dalin Modican was proudly welcomed as a member of Florida Tech’s inaugural program, set to take the field in fall 2013.

Josh Wright, high school athletic director and head football coach, announced that Modican, a wide receiver and quarterback, had signed his national letter of intent and scholarship award to play football for the Panthers.

About 50 friends and family were gathered for the occasion. Florida Tech is a Division II program located in Melbourne, and  member of the Gulf South Conference. 

Wright praised Modican’s work ethic and scholastic abilities, and said his standard for discipline, cooperation and teamwork was a model for other students.

After graduating in 2011, Modican went to Independence Community College in Kansas, and took part in the football program, but decided that his desire to remain in Florida compelled him to return.

During his Seahawk career, Modican posted 195 carries for 1,522 rushing yards, and scored 27 rushing touchdowns and seven receiving touchdowns. As quarterback, he threw for 1,134 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Defensively, Modican had five interceptions, and caused 13 fumbles. He scored seven defensive touchdowns, and two kick return touchdowns.

Modican will take part in a new program directed by coach Steve Englehart, who just announced his first recruiting class for the Panthers.

 “We worked really hard to put this class together,” Englehart said. “Overall it is a good class. It was exciting to get my first class locked in place. I think they’ll blend in really well with the 48 student-athletes we have on campus that are working hard and doing everything we’ve asked. The new student-athletes have a lot of competition when they arrive.”

When Florida Tech takes the gridiron for its first Gulf South Conference (GSC) game in fall 2013, it will line up against six-time league champion Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. The game is the first of six on the Panthers’ inaugural conference schedule.

"The Gulf South Conference has some of this country's top athletes and we are excited to bring this high level of football to the Space Coast," Director of Football Operations John Thomas said.

After opening GSC play, the Panthers will host the University of West Alabama in their first conference home game the following week. As the calendar turns to October, they will prepare for a trip to play two-time national champion Valdosta State University.

Florida Tech will welcome Shorter University to the Space Coast in the middle of October. In their second to last conference game, the Panthers will travel to the University of West Georgia before concluding the conference portion of their schedule at home against the University of North Alabama, currently coached by Terry Bowden, son of legendary coach Bobby Bowden.