(August 2, 2005) ?C Lehigh University, which shared the 2004 Patriot League title with Lafayette and earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, has been chosen by coaches and sports information directors to claim the 2005 Patriot League football crown in a preseason vote while Fordham University was picked to finish in fourth place. The announcement came Tuesday at the League??s annual Football Media Day at Green Pond Country Club, kicking off the 20th season of Patriot League football. Lehigh received eight first place votes and a total of 68 points while Lafayette was picked to finish second, garnering three first place votes and 61 points. Colgate University was tabbed for third place with one first place vote and 49 points followed by the Rams who received two first place votes, accumulating 41 points. Bucknell was chosen to finish in fifth place, compiling 40 points, with Holy Cross (20 points) and Georgetown (15 points) rounding out the field. Besides releasing the preseason poll, the Patriot League Preseason Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Year were also announced. Lehigh quarterback Mark Borda was selected as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Bucknell lineman Sean Conover was tabbed as the Defensive Preseason Player of the Year and teammate Dante Ross the Special Teams Preseason Player of the Year. Fordham welcomes back the 2005 Rams, along with the newcomers, on Monday, August 8th. The first of the five NCAA mandated acclimation days will be on Wednesday, August 10th. Head coach Ed Foley and the Rams will open the 2005 season on Saturday, September 3rd when they travel to Kingston, Rhode Island to face the University of Rhode Island Rams at 12:00 p.m. in Meade Stadium. The Rams will open their home schedule on Saturday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m. when they host Columbia University on newly renovated Jack Coffey Field at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information please go to www.fordhamsports.com or call 718-817-4300.