Nov. 8, 2012

BALTIMORE, MD - The Johns Hopkins University football team placed six players on the 2012 CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District II Football Team, which was announced today. The six selections are the most among all teams in District II and give the Johns Hopkins football program 58 Academic All-District selections in the last 10 years and 84 selections since 1991. During JHU's current four-year run at the top of the Centennial Conference the Blue Jays have now produced 29 Academic All-District players.

All six of Johns Hopkins' selections are making their first appearance on the team and five of the six are sophomores or juniors. Leading the way is junior linebacker John Arena, the only District II player with a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average. Other defensive players selected include senior linebacker Taylor Maciow, junior defensive lineman Joe DiTrolio and sophomore cornerback Ryan Rice. Junior running back JD Abbott and junior tackle Vincenzo Bonaddio were also named to the team.

Arena has played in all nine games with four starts at linebacker and ranks third on the team in tackles with a career-high 52. He also counts 5.5 tackles for losses, one sack, one pass breakup and one forced fumble to his credit. A neurosciene major with the perfect 4.0 grade point average, Arena is currently serving a Clinical Practicum and completing Neuroprotection Research at the Hopkins Hospital Movement Disorder Clinic, where he works closely with Parkinson's patients. He previously completed a summer internship with the People's Community Health Center, serves as an academic tutor, is the secretary of his fraternity and a member of Nu Rho Psi (undergraduate neuroscience society. He was named to the 2011 Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll and recently recorded the 100th tackle of his career.

A team captain, three-year starter and a Second Team All-Centennial selection as a junior, Maciow currently leads the team in tackles (70) and ranks second in tackles for losses (7.5) and sacks (4.0). He also has two pass breakups to his credit and sealed JHU's recent 49-35 win over Gettysburg with a 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown late in the game. A political science major with a 3.33 cumulative GPA, Maciow served as the Collection Advisor for Cleats 4 Kids, which collects sporting equipment for underprivileged inner city children, and volunteered with JHU Neighborhood Walks Security. He recently recorded the 200th tackle of his career and ranks as the Blue Jays' career active leader in tackles (215).

DiTrolio, who returned this season after suffering a season-ending injury late in the 2011 season, is majoring in economics and has a 3.59 cumulative GPA. He has started all nine games and ranks fifth on the team in tackles (34) and has 5.5 tackles for losses and 3.0 sacks from his nose guard position. His 34 tackles are the most among JHU defensive linemen. DiTrolio has served as a Business Finance Intern at Comcast Corporation and volunteers with JHU's Penn Lucy tutoring program with inner city kids. He is a member of the Financial Analysts Club and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He was also named to the 2011 Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll.

The only freshman starter on Johns Hopkins' 10-1 NCAA Playoff team last season, Rice has started all nine games at cornerback this season and counts 25 tackles, four pass breakups, two tackles for losses and one interception to his credit. He is majoring in economics with a minor in entrepreneurship and management and carries a 3.48 cumulative grade point average.

Abbott has enjoyed a breakout season at running back as he has rushed for 520 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games. He ranks second on the team in rushing yards per game (74.3) and all-purpose yards per game (84.0). He served as a summer Research Analyst at Taylor Rafferty in London in 2012 and previously interned Wealth Management Department with Beacon Pointe Advisor. Abbott is the Treasurer of Johns Hopkins Student Athlete Advisory Committee and is a member of the Johns HOpkins Financial Analyst Club. He also volunteers with JHU's Penn Lucy tutoring program with inner city kids and is the co-founder and President of Athletes in Motion, which mentors student-athletes and provides community service.

Bonaddio is a key member of the Blue Jays' offensive line. He has started all nine games at tackle and is helping lead an offense that is averaging 37.4 points and 491.8 yards per game. Johns Hopkins is currently one of just two schools in the nation averaging more than 255 yards rushing and 230 yards passing. Bonaddio has volunteered with JHU's Penn Lucy tutoring program with inner city kids and JHU's JUMP program that fosters interaction between Johns Hopkins athletes and local children. He has also volunteered at Waggies by Maggie & Friends, a non-profit company whose mission is to employ persons with intellectual disabilities.

Johns Hopkins' six Academic All-District honorees now go on the ballot for CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America. That team will be announced on December 4. The Johns Hopkins football program has produced 15 all-time CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.

Johns Hopkins enters this week's regular season finale against rival McDaniel with an 8-1overall record and a 7-1 record in Centennial Conference action. The Blue Jays have already clinched at least a share of their fourth straight Centennial Conference title and can earn the outright title and league's automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Playoffs with a win against the Green Terror. Johns Hopkins is currently ranked 16th in the nation and has been ranked in the top 25 all season.

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