Jan. 11, 2002

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- It was announced on Thursday, January 10 that Providence College senior Tom Blesso (Billerica, Mass.) earned 2001 Men's Soccer Verizon Academic All-District 1 honors.

Blesso, a finance major, has earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.81 in his three years at Providence. It marks the first time Blesso has received Men's Soccer Verizon Academic All-District 1 honors. This season, he was second on the team in scoring with seven points (two goals, three assists). As a junior, Blesso led the team in scoring with a career-high 17 points (six goals, five assists). For his career at Providence, he played in 61 games and registered 10 goals and 10 assists (30 points).

Blesso, a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star, is the son of Tom and Janet Blesso. Prior to attending Providence, Blesso spent four years at Billerica High School where he received all-scholastic honors in 1997.

Since being named to the 2001 Men's Soccer Verizon Academic All-District 1 team, Blesso now will be considered for Verizon Academic All-America National Team honors, which will be determined Tuesday, February 5, 2002.

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