Nov. 14, 2000
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Five Lafayette College student-athletes have been named to the Verizon Academic All-District II Football team. To qualify for selection, an individual must have reached his sophomore year, maintained a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.2 or better and be a starter or an important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials. Bucknell University is the only other Patriot Leaugue school to match Lafayette's five representatives for the distinction.
Junior Stewart Kupfer (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh) is a District 2 First Team Academic All-American at the tight end position. Kupfer started all 10 games for Lafayette and is currently third on the team in touchdown receptions with three. The business and economics major currently holds a 3.4 GPA after having received the same Academic All-District 2 distinction last season.
On the defensive side of the ball, junior Kenya Allen (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) occupies one of four First Team defensive back slots. The psychology major recorded 32 tackles and six pass break-ups through five games before suffering a concussion. This is the second straight year Allen, who maintains a 3.57 GPA, has been named to the Verizon Academic All-America Team.
Junior quarterback Chad Ritchie (Winchester, Va./John Handley) was recognized as a second-team all-academic honoree, boasting a 3.43 GPA while playing in six games and starting two for the Leopards. An economics and business major, Ritchie has completed 44 of 103 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns. He has also recorded 49 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Herbert Kennedy (Troy, N.Y./Troy), a sophomore chemistry major, occupies one defensive back slot on the list of second-team honorees. Kennedy has played in all 10 games, starting the last seven, after walking on the team last year as a freshman. He is carrying a 3.38 GPA while ranking fourth on the team in total tackles and first on the squad in forced fumbles with two.
Also representing Lafayette as a second-team defensive back is sophomore Jamie Anzalone (Shavertown, Pa./Wyoming Seminary). The 5-11 back has recorded tackles in eight games while starting one for the Leopards and holds a 3.38 GPA. The sophomore recorded a career-high four tackles in his first career start at Bucknell on Oct. 14.
The Leopards wrap up their first season under head coach Frank Tavani this Saturday at Fisher Field hosting the 136th meeting between Lafayette and Lehigh. One of the most storied rivalries in all of college football, the Leopards (2-8, 1-4) look to upset the undefeated and NCAA playoff bound Mountain Hawks (10-0, 5-0).
