Lehigh University Athletics
Barket and Spadola named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society
5/3/2013 4:05:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh seniors Zach Barket and Ryan Spadola have been named to the 2013 National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame Hampshire Honor Society, it was announced on Thursday. Both Mountain Hawks are two-time Capital One Academic All-District selections and key contributors to Lehigh's back-to-back Patriot League championship teams in 2010 and 2011.
Barket maintains a 3.51 cumulative grade point average as an accounting major, while Spadola carries a 3.34 GPA in supply chain management. In addition to their Academic All-District selections, both student-athletes are two-time members of the Academic All-Patriot League team.
Lehigh's leading rusher in each of the last two seasons, Barket rushed for 525 yards on 139 carries in 2012 and scored five touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 18 passes for 110 yards. The Schuylkill Haven, Pa. native enjoyed a career year in 2011, earning first team All-Patriot League honors after rushing for 706 yards and four touchdowns, while catching 33 passes for 329 yards and five scores.
In addition to his All-District and All-League honors, Barket is a two-time member of the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team, and went on to earn second team Capital One Academic All-America honors following his senior season.
Spadola compiled one of the finest receiving careers in school annals, finishing with 232 catches for 3,611 yards and 24 touchdowns. He is second in school history in receptions and receiving yards. Spadola led the Mountain Hawks in receiving in 2012, catching 57 passes for 851 yards and four touchdowns, despite missing two games due to illness. The Howell, N.J. native is a three-time first team All-Patriot League selection and earned All-America honors following his sophomore and junior campaigns.
Earlier this week, Spadola was one of two Mountain Hawks to sign with NFL teams as an undrafted free agent, as he inked a deal with the New York Jets.
Qualifications for membership in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society include: being a starter or significant substitute in one's last year of eligibility at an accredited NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III or an NAIA college or university, achieving a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout the entire course of undergraduate study, and meeting all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
The Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a 3.2 GPA or better. A total of 703 players from 259 schools qualified for membership in the society's seventh year, marking the highest school participation since the program began in 2007. The initiative has honored 4,081 student-athletes since its inception.
Barket and Spadola are the first Mountain Hawks named to the Hampshire Honor Society since Tom Randazza '11 was recognized two years ago. In addition, Frank Giacalone '10 and Brendan Van Ackeren '09 have received the honor in previous years.
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