Nov. 10, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova University sophomore running back Angelo Babbaro has been named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine All-District Academic first team. By earning first team All-District accolades, Babbaro will now advance to the national ballot for Academic All-American consideration.

Babbaro has played in all nine games this year for the No. 6 ranked Wildcats. He currently leads the team in kickoff return average at 24.3 yards per return (23 returns for 559 yards). He also ranks fourth on the team in receiving with 21 catches for 219 yards and one score to go with 45 rushes for 221 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and one touchdown.

As a redshirt freshman in 2007, Babbaro set a Villanova school record for kickoff return average in a season at 28.9 yards per return. In a win over Hofstra last season, he returned a kickoff 95 yards for his first career kickoff return for a touchdown. Babbaro was also a 2007 CAA All-Academic Team honoree.

An economics major, Babbaro is a native of Canfield, Ohio where he attended Canfield High School.

Babbaro and the Wildcats will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 15, when they play host to the Towson Tigers at 1 p.m. Villanova is currently 7-2 overall and 5-1 in CAA play.