Dec. 21, 2007

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University head football coach Tom Masella was named the New York Daily News Bronx Sports Person of the Year it was announced earlier this week. The award adds to the list of accolades for Masella this fall, who was also named the Patriot League Coach of the Year and the American Football Coaches Association's (AFCA) 2007 Region 1 Co-Coach of the Year.

For the full Daily News article click here.

Masella also finished seventh in the voting for the Eddie Robinson Award which is given to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national coach of the year. He collected 106 points to finish behind Mark Farley (Northern Iowa), Al Lavan (Delaware State), Matt Viator (McNeese State), Jerry Moore (Appalachian State), Craig Bohl (North Dakota State) and Pete Lembo (Elon). For full results of the Eddie Robison Award voting, click here.

Masella led the Rams to an 8-4 overall record and a 5-1 Patriot League mark, winning the League title for the second time in the past five years (2002). Fordham, who was picked to finish sixth of the seven Patriot League teams prior to the season, displayed one of the biggest turnarounds in the NCAA, going from 3-8 in 2006 to 8-4 this fall.

The Rams traveled to Massachusetts for their first round NCAA Division I playoff game on November 24th, giving the seventh-ranked Minutemen all they could handle, tying the game at 35 in the fourth quarter before falling, 49-35.

At the end of the season, Fordham had 12 players named All-Patriot League, including freshman running back Xavier Martin who garnered Rookie of the Year honors.