TOWSON, Md. – For the fourth consecutive year, Towson University will hold a Football National Signing Day Celebration at Bill Bateman's Bistro at 7800 York Road in Towson on Wednesday, February 1 at 6 p.m.

At that time, Coach Rob Ambrose and his staff will announce their 2012 recruiting class. The Tiger coaches will talk about each new player and a highlight video will be shown.

For the Tigers, the 2012 Signing Day will show how their successful 2011 season has impacted the recruiting process. The Tigers were the most improved team in NCAA FCS in 2011 as they earned their first-ever NCAA FCS playoff appearance. Ranked ninth in NCAA FCS in the final poll, the Tigers also won their first-ever Colonial Athletic Association championship.

Ambrose was honored as the winner of the Eddie Robinson Award, presented to the Coach of the Year in NCAA FCS.

“National Signing Day is almost like Game Day,” says Coach Ambrose. “It is the culmination of months of preparation, hard work, research and evaluation.”

According to Ambrose, it is also one of the most satisfying days of the year.

“By the time it arrives, I feel ecstatic,” says the Tiger coach. “It is cause for celebration because we are adding student-athletes that have one thing in common – they want to be part of the football program we are building. They are committed to what we're doing and they want to be part of it

The Tigers could potentially sign between 15 and 20 newcomers on February 1. That number includes transfer students and players who are joining the program prior to the Spring semester.

“The standard rule for recruiting is that you want to make each recruiting class a little better than the last one,” he adds. “We are definitely moving in the right direction.

“Every year, our recruiting focus is to create a balance of players by position in each class,” Ambrose explains. “For instance, we don't want to have too many defensive backs in a recruiting class and not enough linebackers. We spend a lot of time on this process each year.”

Although the Tiger coach isn't allowed to talk about any of the newcomers until they are officially signed, he admits that he is very pleased with the quality of the incoming class.

The official web site for Tiger athletics, www.TowsonTigers.com, will serve as the official National Signing Day headquarters on February 1. Interviews with all fall coaches and others will be posted every half-hour starting at 9 a.m.