The New England Hawks signed 17 new players to contracts at the team's first informational meeting for the 2009 season.

Lamar Bryant, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound offensive and defensive lineman, was among the new players the Hawks signed. Bryant played his college football for the University of Maryland and was most recently a member of the Manchester Wolves AFL2 team.

The other new recruits are Rick Lapierre, Wilson Pierre, Shane Lee, Guy Cooper, Adam Asadoorian, Matthew Rivera, Chris Abate, Carlos Novoa, Shawn Ford, Shaun Mueller, Marion Wilder, Rick King, Evan Roderick, James Boos, Corey Hayward and Nathan Bunnell.
 
The Hawks, a semipro team that plays in the New England Football League's AAA Division, are attempting fill out their 65 man roster. The 17 new players increased the current active roster to 52 players.

Anyone interested in playing for the Hawks can contact general manager Mike Bernier at (603) 766-1350 or mik@nehawks.com.

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The Hawks also announced the signing of two coaches for the 2009 season. Rich McFadden has been named the team's head coach and defensive coordinator, and John Kuhne has been signed as the team's offensive coordinator. 

McFadden comes to the Hawks from Epping High School, where he helped the school start a varsity football program and served as that program's head coach for the last five seasons.

Kuhne is the offensive coordinator at Stoneham (Mass.) High School. He has also coached at Woburn (Mass.) High School and with the Timberlane junior football program in Plaistow. He also has NEFL coaching experience with the Northeast Knights and the Northeast Hurricanes.

The Hawks are still seeking a special teams coach, other assistant coaches and scouting and recruiting personnel.