East Rutherford, N.J.----Wingate University offensive lineman Ben Benshoof (Huntersville, N.C.) has been invited to try-out at the N.Y. Giants rookie mini-camp this week. A 6-6, 315-pound graduate of North Mecklenburg High School, Benshoof flies to New Jersey Thursday. The rookie mini-camp will be held at the state-of-the-art TIMEX Performance Center.

In 2009, Benshoof was a first team All-South Atlantic Conference performer. He played in the East Coast Bowl Football Game. Selected players from NCAA Division I-FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA schools on the East Coast competed in the ninth annual event Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 at historic Cameron Field in Petersburg, Va.

Benshoof believes two events helped him gain attention. “Scouts expressed interest through my agent (John J. Perez) following my appearance in the East Coast Bowl,” Benshoof says. “John kept reminding scouts and team personnel I was available. He is doing great work on my behalf.”

In addition to the East Coast Bowl, Benshoof participated in Wake Forest University’s Pro Day on March 26. “I went to Wake with (teammate) Tylan Merkerson,” Benshoof remembers. “I did not do as well as I had hoped, but teams started contacting my agent. I guess the Giants were the most interested.”

Benshoof is ready for the chance. “I am so excited to have the opportunity to show the Giants what I can do,” Benshoof asserts. “The chance to get a try-out is a big honor. Honestly, it hasn’t hit me yet…I am going to go up there and do my best. I want to do everything I can to represent Wingate in a first-class manner…and sign a contract.”

Wingate had three active professional players during the 2009 season. Defensive back David Jones (Bengals) and linebacker Kenwin Cummings (N.Y. Jets) helped their teams reach the most recent NFL play-offs. Defensive end John Bowman plays for the 2009 Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. Benshoof believes this trio helps his professional aspirations.

“Player personnel folks look at your school’s history and your track record (with players in the pros),” Benshoof acknowledges. “David, Kenwin and John are super character guys, super professionals and super hard-working. I think a team is more willing to take a chance on me…since I am coming out of the same program.”

An offensive captain and three-year starter for the Bulldogs, Benshoof and his teammates helped Wingate average 395.3 total offense yards per game last season. Thanks to the efforts of Benshoof and his offensive line mates, Wingate running back Vince Jordan (Mt. Gilead, N.C.) rushed for 967 yards in 2009, third on the SAC charts.

In 2008, Benshoof helped Wingate place second in the SAC (and ninth in the NCAA) in passing offense with 238.4 yards per game. Benshoof blocked for running back Nelson Woods (Charlotte, N.C.) as Woods eclipsed the 1000-yard plateau in 2008 and 2007. Woods rushed for 1238 yards on 248 carries in 2008. Woods rushed 232 times for 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2007.

“Ben was a mainstay for our team (as a senior),” Wingate head coach Joe Reich says. “He was a great player and a great leader for our program. I am excited he has the opportunity to show what he can do on the next level. They (the Giants) won’t be disappointed in what they see.”

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery and community service.

Wingate offers 34 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, communication, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past four years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 34 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 43 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.