May 8, 2008

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University senior second baseman Eric Reese (Sparta NJ/Sparta) was named First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District in a voting among the district's Sports Information Directors it was announced today. He will now be placed on the national ballot for Academic All-American® consideration.

Reese, a four-year starter, is currently second on the team in batting average, hitting .318 (56-176) with nine doubles, five triples, two home runs, 43 RBI and 33 stolen bases while starting all 48 games. He is tied for the team lead with 33 stolen bases and ranks second on the team in runs scored (44) and RBI. Reese, who earlier this year had a team-best 15-game hitting streak, has recorded 15 multiple-hit games this spring, along with nine multiple-RBI contests.

A First Team All-Conference second baseman in 2007, Reese became the ninth Ram to reach 200 career hits this spring and is among the national leaders this season in stolen bases.

Over his career, Reese has collected 226 hits, fourth on the Fordham career list, scored 161 runs, good for sixth on the all-time list, and has appeared in 192 career games, tying him for fourth on the all-time list.

On April 30th, Reese was honored with the Benedict T. Harter Award at the 2008 Block F Awards Dinner. The Benedict T. Harter award is presented annually to the College of Business Administration senior athlete who has made significant academic and athletic contributions. The award honors Ben Harter, College of Business Administration Class of 1939, a former dean of both Fordham's undergraduate and graduate schools of business, who was an avid follower and supporter of Fordham Athletics.

Reese, a Business Administration major who is concentrating in finance with a secondary concentration in marketing, also received an Athlete Academic Achievement Award which is presented to senior student-athletes who have been selected for outstanding athletic and academic achievement with a 3.5 GPA or better.

The Rams (26-21-1, 10-11 Atlantic 10) will host Xavier University in a three-game Atlantic 10 series beginning on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Houlihan Park.