April 12, 2010

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University senior offensive lineman Andrew Tyshovnytsky (Wayne, Pa./Conestoga) was named the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year, an award that recognizes a student-athlete's dedication to strength training and conditioning. It is the third accolade garnered by Tyshovnytsky in 2009-10 who was named to the ECAC FCS All-Star Team in December and First Team All-Patriot League in November.

This year, the NSCA awarded 232 collegiate athletes from 106 schools with this esteemed award. Tyshovnytsky was selected by Fordham strength coach Ted Perlak, CSCS, who said, "Andrew is by far the most dedicated athlete I've had the pleasure of coaching thus far in my career. He battled back from a knee injury and set almost all of our weight room records, and has had a dominant senior year on the field. Andrew is always the first to show up for six AM runs all summer and the guy who closes down the weight room at night during the season and in the winter. He is a true example of how hard work can turn an undersized freshman into an all-conference dominating player."

Robert Jursnick, NSCA's Executive Director adds, "The advantage of strength training and conditioning cannot be denied in collegiate athletics. These student-athletes attest to this understanding, and are to be applauded for their hard work and dedication."

The NSCA All-American Athlete of the Year Award program is in its 32nd year, and is made possible by a grant from Power Systems, Inc., a Knoxville, Tennessee, fitness product leader.

Tyshovnytsky, a three-year starter on the offensive line, started all eleven games at right tackle for Fordham this fall. He was a cog on the offensive line that helped the Rams set the school record for total offense in a season, amassing 5,377 yards, eclipsing the former record of 4,995 yards set by the 2002 team. The Rams led the NCAA FCS in total offense (488.82 yards/game) and were second in passing offense (337.09 yards/game) and tied for second in first downs per game (23.64).

Tyshovnytsky also protected quarterback John Skelton, who set single season and career marks for most receptions, most passing yards and most passing touchdowns.

The Rams finished the regular season with a 5-6 overall record, 2-4 in the Patriot League.