Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University junior designated hitter Joe Ciccone (Rye Brook, NY/Port Chester) was named First Team Verizon Academic All-District 1 as selected by the College Sports Information Director of America (CoSIDA) it was announced today. The team is selected by a vote of the district's Sports Information Directors.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve and have a 3.2 gpa for his/her entire career.

Ciccone, who will now go on the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration, is hitting .344 (33-96) with 14 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 20 RBI while stealing three bases in four attempts and scoring 24 runs. He leads the team in average and doubles while being second on the team in triples.

Ciccone is also sixth in the Atlantic 10 in doubles while he has nine multiple-hit games, including a five-hit game, and seven multiple-RBI games, including a four-RBI game.

The Rams are 15-25 on the year, with a three-game Atlantic 10 series scheduled this weekend at St. Bonaventure.