Aug. 6, 2002
East Rutherford, NJ - The Marist College football team was chosen to finish fourth in the preseason poll of the nine head coaches of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Football League, it was announced this afternoon at the annual Media Day, held at Giants Stadium. The Red Foxes finished the 2001 season at 3-6 overall and in fifth place in the MAAC at 2-4.
Marist received 50 points in the poll, behind three-time defending champion Duquesne, who earned all nine first place votes, and 81 points, in being predicted to win the league for a fourth time. St. Peter's was chosen to finish as the runner-up, with 70 points, followed by Fairfield, who earned 64 points. Iona received 41 points in being selected fifth, followed by LaSalle, 21 points, Siena 28 points and Canisius, 23 points. St. John's received 17 points in the poll, returning to the MAAC Football League after a multi-year hiatus.
Leading the way for Marist this fall will be Sports Network Mid-Major Preseason All-America selection, and 2001 First-Team All-MAAC center, Juwan Jackson. The Red Foxes will return First-Team All-MAAC offensive lineman, Mike Loniewski, and place kicker Brett Biggs. On the defensive side of the ball, the Red Foxes have two MAAC players of the Week returning in defensive backs Ian Jackson and Ike Ibeh.
The Red Foxes will open the 2002 season on September 7th, hosting Sacred Heart in a 7:00 pm game under the lights on Leonidoff Field. Marist opens MAAC play the following Saturday, hosting Canisius in a game under the lights as well. Wagner visits Leondiooff Field for a 6:00 pm contest, September 26th, for Parent's Weekend, and the Red Foxes will host the annual Take A kid to The Game on October 5th, hosting Fairfield at 7:00 pm. Homecoming Weekend falls on October 12th, when Marist renews its rivalry with St. John's, in a 1:00 pm game. The Red Foxes finish the home schedule against Iona, October 19th and Siena on October 26th.
Marist joined the MAAC Football League for the 1994 season, its second at the Division I-AA level, winning the conference crown that season. The Red Foxes have been a full-time member of the MAAC since the 1997-98 season. Marist has won the last four MAAC Commissioners' Cups, awarded for overall excellence in league athletic departments. The Red Foxes are the first school in the 21-year history of the MAAC to win the award four straight times, and equal Loyola and LaSalle, as the only schools to win the honor four times.
