July 2, 2002

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette senior center Chris Royle (Stockton, N.J./Hunterdon Central), a two-time All-Patriot League selection, was named today to The Sports Network's 2002 Preseason Division I-AA All-America team.

The Leopards' starting center for the last 28 games, Royle was also rated by The Sports Network as the third-best returning center in Division I-AA.

A first-team All-Patriot League selection in 2001, Royle anchored a Lafayette offensive line that led the conference in sacks allowed with just 11, edging the other seven league members by at least five sacks. The Leopards' offensive line also helped Lafayette average 395.8 total yards per game, which included a league-best 265.1 yards passing average.

Royle earned second-team All-Patriot League honors in 2000 as a sophomore, starting a11 11 games and helping lead an offensive line that helped the Leopards lead the conference in passing for the first time since the early 1990s.

Lafayette begins preseason practice with the incoming freshmen on Monday, Aug. 12, with the first full-squad practice scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 15. The Leopards officially open the 2002 season on Sept. 7 by hosting Monmouth in the first of three straight home contests to start the schedule.