Spadola, Mountain Hawks receive preseason recognition from Lindy's
Posted: 06/03/2011
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Junior wide receiver Ryan Spadola received his second major recognition in as many weeks as he was named to the Lindy’s All-FCS Offensive First-Team for the upcoming season. This honor comes on the heels of Spadola’s selection last week as one of the top ten FCS wide receivers according to the Sports Network.
Spadola enjoyed a breakout sophomore season for the Brown and White, catching 78 passes for 1,130 yards and nine touchdowns. He became the first Lehigh player to eclipse the 1,000 yard receiving mark since Josh Snyder in 2001. Spadola was a first team All-Patriot League selection and was named a third team All-American by the Sports Network after helping lead the Mountain Hawks into the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
Among the highlights from Spadola’s sophomore campaign were a school-record tying 14 receptions for 206 yards in Lehigh’s win over Harvard and a three touchdown reception day the following week against Bucknell. Spadola had touchdown receptions in each of his final three games of the season, including Lehigh’s third straight win over rival Lafayette and the go-ahead score in the Mountain Hawks’ first round playoff win at UNI.
The All-FCS Offensive First-Team consists of student-athletes from Appalachian State, Wofford, Colgate, Liberty, William & Mary, Southern Illinois, Bethune-Cookman, Texas State, Weber State, Eastern Washington and Stephen F. Austin. Spadola is one of three Patriot League student-athletes named to Lindy’s Preseason All-FCS Teams, along with Colgate running back Nate Eachus who was named to the first team and Raider offensive lineman Vittorio Ottanelli, who was named to the second team.
Last year, Will Rackley was named to Lindy’s All-FCS Offensive First-Team and went on to earn numerous All-America honors before being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of April’s NFL Draft.
As a team, the Mountain Hawks were also recognized by Lindy’s as the defending Patriot League champions came in at No. 12 in the magazine’s Preseason Top 25. Lehigh finished 14th in both major polls at the end of last season after a 10-3 campaign that included an eight game win streak in October and November. Appalachian State was picked as Lindy’s preseason No. 1, while Colgate is the only other Patriot League team ranked, coming in at No. 23.
The Mountain Hawks will open the 2011 season on Saturday September 3, when they travel to West Long Branch New Jersey to face the Monmouth Hawks. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.