Brett Biestek Named Patriot League Football Scholar Athlete of the Year

Patriot League Release
 
Bronx, N.Y. (November 26, 2014) – Fordham University senior defensive lineman Brett Biestek was named the 2014 Patriot League Football Scholar Athlete of the Year on Wednesday. The awards are voted on by the Patriot League's football sports information directors. Biestek is the third Ram to earn Football Scholar Athlete of the Year honors, joining Jim Walls (1999) and Barry Cantrell (1996 and 1997).
 
Biestek was also named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team for the second straight year and was joined on the squad by senior tight end Dan Light. Light becomes just the third player in League history to be named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team for three years.
 
Biestek, who was named Capital One Academic All-District two weeks ago, a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy® and was a first team All-Patriot League selection yesterday, has been a mainstay on the defensive line for the Rams, recording 54 total tackles, 38 solo, including 18.0 for loss and 11.5 sacks, both team highs. He is second in the Patriot League and 21st in the NCAA FCS in tackles for loss/game (1.5) and third in the league and tenth in the NCAA FCS in sacks/game (0.96).
 
Biestek is one of two Fordham student-athletes to graduate early and enroll directly in the school's MBA program. He maintained a 3.79 undergraduate GPA and holds a 3.83 GPA in graduate school.
 
Light, a preseason All-America, a 2012 and 2013, a first team All-League selection the past two years and a 2014 Capital One Academic All-District selection, is one of the top tight ends in Fordham history. He has 43 receptions for 385 yards and six touchdowns this year. Light, who was named First Team Academic All-District recently, is fourth on the Fordham career reception list (177) and tenth on the career receiving yards list (1,594).
 
Light, a Business Administration major, has a 3.36 GPA.
 
The Rams, ranked ninth in the Sports Network poll and 12^th in the NCAA FCS Coaches poll, return to action on Saturday, November 29, as they host the Sacred Heart University Pioneers in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Division I Football Championship on Jack Coffey Field at 12:00 p.m.