Aug. 4, 2009

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Bethlehem, Pa. - The Fordham University football squad was selected to finish fifth in the Patriot League in a preseason poll of the League's coaches and sports information directors it was announced at Tuesday's Football Media Day at Green Pond Country Club.

Holy Cross, with seven first place votes and 67 points, was selected to the top spot while Colgate, the defending Patriot League champions, earned six first place votes and 64 points. Lehigh and Lafayette tied for third in the poll, each garnering 46 points, followed by Fordham (35), Bucknell (24) and Georgetown (12).

The poll voters also picked Holy Cross senior quarterback Dominic Randolph as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Lafayette senior linebacker Mark Leggiero as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Randolph has won two consecutive Offensive Player of the Year honors and was also the preseason choice last year. Leggiero was a First-Team All-Patriot League selection in 2008.

"I am excited about the 2009 season," said Fordham head coach Tom Masella. "I think we have a solid group of returning players who can help us compete for another Patriot League title. I can't wait for the season to start!"

The Rams were represented at Media Day by Masella and three of his four captains for 2009, defensive back James Crockett, center Robby Reis and defensive lineman Darzell Wright.

The fifth-place spot in the preseason poll will be a good motivational tool for the Rams, who were selected to finish sixth in 2007. Fordham proceeded to go 5-1 in the League that fall, winning its second Patriot League title in six years.

A popular topic of conversation on the day was Fordham's decision to offer athletic scholarships for football beginning with the 2010 recruiting class. The Rams will remain as an associate member of the Patriot League for football, which currently does not offer athletic scholarships in the sport, and will be eligible for the 2009 League title and automatic playoff bid. Fordham will continue to be included in the League schedule until at least the 2012 season but will not be eligible for the Patriot League championship beginning with the 2010 season.

Despite not being eligible for the Patriot League title starting in 2010, Fordham will still be eligible for an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoff at-large bid. The NCAA will increase the number of playoff bids in 2010 from 16 to 20 (ten automatic bids/ten at-large bids).

"The addition of football scholarships will allow us to expand our recruiting base," said Masella. "Awarding scholarships based on athletic ability will greatly increase the pool of prospective student-athletes. At the same time we are happy that we will be able to maintain our ties to the Patriot League and be able to compete for an NCAA FCS championship."

Patriot League Executive Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich told the media in attendance and that Patriot League Council of Presidents will continue to discuss the competitive and financial implications of athletic merit aid for the League football membership as well as the long-term goals of the League. It is anticipated that a decision on football scholarships will be made by the League no later than the end of 2010.

Fordham will open the 2009 season on Saturday, September 5th, when the Rams travel to Kingston, R.I., to face the University of Rhode Island at 1:00 p.m. Season tickets are now available on the Fordham Athletic Website at www.fordhamsports.com.

2009 Patriot League Preseason Poll Results

1. Holy Cross (7)....67
2. Colgate (6)....64
3. Lafayette....46
3. Lehigh (1)....46
5. Fordham....35
6. Bucknell....24
7. Georgetown....12

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Dominic Randolph, QB, Holy Cross

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Mark Leggiero, LB, Lafayette