Nov. 18, 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University senior linebacker James Crockett (Maple Heights, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel), senior wide receiver Asa Lucas (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton) and senior defensive lineman Darzell Wright (Riverdale, Ill/Mount Carmel) have been selected to play in the East Coast Bowl it was announced today. They are the first Fordham football players to appear in the annual all-star game.

The East Coast Bowl is an annual college football All-Star game that features the most elite Division I-FCS, II, III and NAIA college football players from across the Mid-Atlantic region. The game is held every year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving at Cameron Field in Petersburg, Virginia and is sponsored by the City of Petersburg and the National Football Foundation. As mention in the mission statement, all proceeds derived from the game are used to award scholarships to high school students from the Tri-Cities area that intend on playing football at a Division II or III institution.

The East Coast Bowl game has quickly become the Thanksgiving tradition in Petersburg, VA and will be played Saturday, November 28th at noon, The Committee will gather nominations from schools in just about all 50 states, which will be narrowed down to the top 75 Division I-FCS, II, III and NAIA athletes.

Players will report to Petersburg the day before Thanksgiving and spend the holiday doing various community visits as well as practice sessions for NFL scouts. The game itself is set-up as a scholarship event, with all of the revenue generated going into a fund for a local high school senior who plans on attending a Division I-FCS, II or III college.

For more information on the East Coast Bowl click here.

Crockett, a two-year captain for the Rams, is second on the 2009 squad with 67 total tackles, 48 solo, including seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two pas deflections. He also has an interception and has recovered two fumbles.

Over his Fordham career, Crockett, who was named Second Team All-Patriot League in 2007 and 2008, has registered 222 total tackles, 140 solo, including 21 for loss and six sacks. He also has five career interceptions and 12 pass deflections.

Lucas is Fordham's third leading receiver in 2009, catching 39 passes for 626 yards and two scores this fall. Against Cornell on October 17th, he hauled in a 98-yard scoring strike from John Skelton, setting a school mark for longest passing play.

Over his career, Lucas has 1,943 receiving yards, moving him ahead of Steve Porco (who accumulated 1,866 career receiving yards between 2001-04) and into fourth place on the Fordham all-time list. He has recorded over 100 receiving yards six times in his career. He is also in the top five in career receptions, bringing his total to 125 with seven last week against Lehigh.

Wright, a 2009 team captain, has 30 total tackles for the Rams this year, 10 solo, including 5.5 for loss and one sack in seven games. Over his career, he has accumulated 76 total tackles in 37 games, 35 solo, including 15 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

The Rams close out the 2009 season on Saturday by traveling to Washington, D.C., to face Georgetown University in a Patriot League game at 1:00 PM.