Dec. 5, 2005

With the start of the Arena Football League season less than two months, the New York Dragons recently signed 2003 Dayton graduate Jesse Obert to handle the place kicking and kickoff duties for the 2006 season. Obert (6-0, 210) will be replacing Rob Bironas, who is kicking for the NFL's Tennessee Titans this season.

"We're excited to give Jesse a chance to kick at a high level," said Dragons head coach Weylan Harding in a press release. "He's proven that he can kick in other indoor leagues, now we're giving him a chance to prove that he can do it here."

Obert, 25, was named Pioneer Football League Kicker of the Year in 2002. Also in 2002, he was recognized as the Specialist of the Year and a three-time National Player of the Week. In his final two seasons as a Flyer, Obert connected of 75-percent of his field goal attempts, and 48-50 extra points. He ranks second all-time in scoring amongst kickers in UD history, and is also tied for the most field goals in a game with four.

Obert has some other professional experience to his credit. As a member of the Cincinnati Marshals of the National Indoor Football League in 2005, he converted on 51-percent of his field goal attempts and 82-percent of his extra points, ranking him in the league's top three in each category. Obert's kicks included a game-winning field goal in double overtime in the first round of the NIFL playoffs. Obert made all three of his field goal attempts that game, as well as all six point after tries.

In 2004, Obert played in eight games for the Manchester Wolves of the af2. A native of Cincinnati, OH, Obert also holds numerous kicking records at LaSalle High School, including a 52-yard field goal. In 2003, he attended a training camp with the Cleveland Browns, and is hopeful that his stop in New York is a stepping stone to his ultimate goal of becoming an NFL kicker.