Feb. 26, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. - Villanova University senior tight end Matt Sherry has been named the CAA Football Student-Athlete of the Year. Sherry shares the award with Delaware senior offensive lineman Mike Byrne. Sherry, a 6-4, 255 pound native of Rumford, R.I., helped lead the Wildcats to a 7-4 record by tallying a team-high 37 receptions for a team-best 461 yards and five touchdowns.

Sherry, who earned a finance degree from Villanova in May, 2007, is currently enrolled in Villanova's MBA program where he has an impressive 3.84 grade point average. For his efforts on the football field this past season, Sherry was a first team All-CAA selection, a first team All-ECAC selection, a Honorable Mention Sports Network FCA All-American honoree and the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic Football Performer of the Year.

In addition to Sherry's honor, 11 other Wildcats were named to the CAA Football Academic All-Conference team. To be eligible for this team, a player must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better. The 11 Wildcats include Angelo Babbaro, Kris Brown, Derek Donmoyer, Derek Fiorenza, Zach Mariacher , Martin Morfin, Sean Morrissey, Nick Seibert, Matt Sherry, Shawn Smith and Will Thompson.

CAA FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Matt Sherry

CAA FOOTBALL ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM:

Angelo Babbaro       RB  RFR.    Canfield, Ohio/CanfieldKris Brown       OL  Sr. Abington, Pa./AbingtonDerek Donmoyer       DB  So. Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Twp.Derek Fiorenza       PK  Jr. Downingtown, Pa./Bishop ShanahanZach Mariacher       DB  Sr. New castle, Pa./New CastleMartin Morfin     LB  Sr. New Egypt, Pa./New EgyptSean Morrissey       LS  So. Rockville, Md./Our Lady of Good CounselNick Seibert       TE/LS   Sr. Allentown, Pa./Salisbury Twp.Matt Sherry     TE  Sr. Rumford, R.I./Bishop HendrickenShawn Smith     WR  So. Sinking Spring, Pa./WilsonWill Thompson     LS  So. Glen Arm, Md./Loyola Blakefield