June 4, 2009
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham University senior Clifton Hilario (Circleville, N.Y./Pine Bush) was named First Team CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District for men's track and field in a voting among the district's Sports Information Directors it was announced today. Hilario, who joins Mary Beth Puccio from the Fordham softball team in earning Academic All-District honors in 2008-09, will now be placed on the national ballot for Academic All-American® consideration.
Earlier this spring, Hilario was recognized for his athletic and academic accomplishments by being named to the 2009 Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team for outdoor track and field in a vote by the conference's Sports Information Directors.
To be nominated for Academic All-Conference honors, a player must be a starter or important reserve and have a cumulative 3.0 gpa or better (on a 4.0 scale) for his/her entire academic career.
Hilario, who graduated on May 16th with a degree in Accounting, placed 19th in the 800m at the Atlantic 10 Championship on May 2nd. He was also a member of the 4x800 relay that took third and the 4x400 that placed fourth at the Atlantic 10 Championship.
This spring, Hilario, who was also named Academic All-Atlantic 10 for cross country and indoor track and field this year, turned in Fordham's third fastest 800m time (1:54.90).
During the 2008-09 indoor season, Hilario was a member of the distance medley relay that earned All-East honors at the IC4A Indoor Championship by placing fifth.
At the 2009 Block F Awards Dinner on April 29th, Hilario was the recipient of the 2009 Harter Award, presented to the College of Business Administration senior athlete who has made significant academic and athletic contributions.
Hilario was also named Academic All-Atlantic 10 for both indoor and outdoor track in 2007-08 and he joins Jonathan Scott (2000-01) as the only Fordham athlete to earn Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team honors for all three seasons.
As a sophomore and junior, Hilario earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors as a member of the winning 4x800 relay team at the Atlantic 10 Indoor Championships.
