Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh football to be recognized at Wednesday's women's basketball game
2/7/2012 9:19:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The two-time defending Patriot League Champion Lehigh football team will be honored Wednesday night at halftime of Lehigh's women's basketball game versus American at Stabler Arena. Lehigh enjoyed one of the finest seasons in school history in 2011, going 11-2 and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
As a team, the Mountain Hawks followed a 1-1 start with ten straight victories, including Lehigh's fourth straight win over rival Lafayette and a thrilling 40-38 triumph at Towson in the second round of the playoffs. Junior Tom Bianchi's go-ahead safety propelled Lehigh to its second playoff win in as many years, before the Mountain Hawks outstanding season came to an end with a loss to eventual national champion North Dakota State in the quarterfinals.
The Mountain Hawks earned many team and individual post-season honors after deep playoff run. They finished the season ranked fifth and sixth in the two major FCS polls, and were voted to the top spot in the final Lambert Cup Meadowlands Football poll, capturing the Lambert Cup for the first time since 2001, which was also the last time the team reached the FCS quarterfinals. Lehigh has now won the Lambert Cup eight times. The Mountain Hawks were also named ECAC Team of the Year for the Football Championship Subdivision.All-American senior quarterback Chris Lum received many awards and was the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award, given to the outstanding player in the FCS. He was named the ECAC FCS Offensive Player of the Year and Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, on the heels of a prolific season. Lum set school and Patriot League records with 4,378 passing yards. His 32 touchdowns were also a school single season record.
Along with Lum and senior defensive leader Mike Groome, standout receivers junior Ryan Spadola and senior Jake Drwal were named ECAC FCS All-Stars, among other honors. Spadola garnered many All-America nods as he set school and Patriot League single season records with 96 receptions and 1,614 yards, just 98 yards shy of the all-time FCS single season mark. Drwal also passed the previous school receptions record, catching 92 balls for 1,060 yards and nine touchdowns, earning him first-team All Patriot league honors.
On Wednesday night the Mountain Hawks will take to the Stabler Arena floor at halftime for a brief recognition ceremony that will feature remarks from head coach Andy Coen. The Patriot League championship trophies will also be on display in the arena lobby, and fans will be invited to take pictures with the trophy.
The Mountain Hawks will announce their incoming recruiting class Wednesday afternoon, while preparations for the 2012 season are already underway. Spring practice begins March 23, while the annual Brown and White Spring Game is set for April 21.
The Lehigh women's basketball team (13-9, 6-2 PL) will be facing first place American, which is 16-6 overall and a perfect 8-0 in Patriot League games. The Mountain Hawks are coming off of a come-from-behind win at Holy Cross on Saturday.
Wednesday night's game tips off just after 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online at Lehighsports.com, or Wednesday at the Stabler Arena box office.
Story by Gordon Stevenson '12
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