(June 4, 2002) - Fordham University junior Bobby Kingsbury (Lyndhurst, OH/Notre Dame) was drafted as the first pick of the eighth round to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 223rd overall. Kingsbury joins the Pirates' draft class that includes Ball State's Bryan Bullington, the first overall pick in today's MLB First-Year Player Draft. He now stands as the highest selected player from Fordham since Pete Harnisch was a supplemental first round draft choice of the Baltimore Orioles in 1987.

Kingsbury was named the Atlantic 10's Baseball Player of the Year and First Team All-Atlantic 10 this past season. He became the first player in conference history to win the award twice, while being the sixth junior to win Player of the Year Honors.

Kingsbury was the driving force behind the Rams, leading the team in most offensive categories, including runs (48), doubles (20), triples (5), home runs (12), RBI (43), total bases (134), slugging percentage (.749), on-base percentage (.491), walks (39), and stolen bases (19). He was second on the squad in batting average at .380, which was fourth best in the conference, and hits with 68. He ranked among the top five in six Atlantic 10 categories, including being first in on-base percentage and triples.

Kingsbury also posted outstanding numbers in Atlantic 10 play, highlighted by his .428 batting average, seven home runs, and 20 RBI. Similar to last season, Kingsbury's single-season totals rank among Fordham's all-time best. His 134 total bases and 20 doubles were the second best totals in school history, while his 12 home runs were third best and his 68 hits were sixth best. His current three-year career totals also rank him in the history books. Kingsbury is third all-time in home runs (27), doubles (45), and triples (12), while placing fifth in total bases (340), sixth in stolen bases (68), seventh in hits (190) and RBI (120), and eighth in batting average at .352.