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Malpigli Named to Academic All-America All-District Team
American sophomore is sixth Eagle to win prestigious award

May 23, 2002

Sophomore Frank Malpigli became the sixth American athlete to earn Academic All-America honors in 2001-02.

WASHINGTON — American University’s Frank Malpigli (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) concluded his successful sophomore campaign with another academic honor. Malpigli was named to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-America District Two Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country First Team, adding the award to his Patriot League Men’s Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor.

The University has enjoyed a remarkable year in 2001-02, its first as a member of the Patriot League, which was founded on the principles of admitting student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Six Eagles have earned regional Academic All-America honors and five American student athletes were named Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

An honors student at American, Malpigli holds an impressive 3.725 cumulative grade-point average (GPA). He is majoring in international studies with a focus on international politics and United States foreign policy. In addition, he is a member of the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity and the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society.

Malpigli was named to the All-Patriot League Cross Country team after finishing fourth at the league cross country championship in October. He was also named to the All-Patriot League Indoor Track and Field Team following his individual title in the 5,000-meters at the Patriot League Championships in February.

To be considered for Academic All-America honors, a student-athlete must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and be an important player on their respective team. Student-athletes from Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are eligible for the District Two award.

American University is concluding its inaugural year as a member of the Patriot League. The University, founded in 1893, fields a 19-sport Division I athletics program, featuring 10 women’s sports and nine for men.