July 8, 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 as a first-team selection on the 2002 Lindy's I-AA Preseason All-America squad.

This is Royle's second preseason honor, as he was named to The Sports Network's 2002 Preseason Division I-AA All-America team last week.

The Leopards' starting center for the last 28 games, Royle was a first-team All-Patriot League selection in 2001. He 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 all 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.