Sept. 22, 2008

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University freshman punter Cameron Dean was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week it was announced today. It is the first weekly award for Dean and the second for a Ram so far in 2008.

In a 29-22 win over Columbia on Saturday, Dean placed all four of his punts inside the 20 to help Fordham rally in the fourth quarter for the victory. He punted four times for 140 yards (36.2 avg.) in the game, with three punts in the second half. Dean placed his punts at the Columbia 19, 6, 16 and 19 yard line, with the final two coming before Fordham's four-quarter touchdowns.

The win allowed the Rams to maintain possession of the Liberty Cup, a trophy which the two teams have competed for since 2002. As two of only three NCAA Division I institutions in New York City to sponsor football, Fordham University and Columbia University decided in 2002 to compete for a special trophy in their annual game. Thus was born the Liberty Cup.

The concept behind the Liberty Cup is to honor the alumni of both schools who were lost in the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Cup also honors all of those who lost their lives on September 11th, including members of the various city and state agencies (FDNY, NYPD, EMS, Port Authority, etc.). Each school has created a scholarship fund with the host school donating the proceeds of the game to their respective fund.

The Rams (2-1) will open defense of their 2007 Patriot League title on Saturday, September 27th, as they host the Colgate University Raiders on Jack Coffey Field at 6:00 p.m.