CENTER VALLEY, PA. -- The Holy Cross Crusaders, who rose from near-worst to first in Ralph Willard's second year as head coach at his alma mater, were chosen to repeat as Patriot League men's basketball champions in the 2002 pre-season poll of coaches and sports information directors.

Holy Cross, led by Jr. forward Tim Szatko (Naperville, Ill.), gained 10 first place votes and compiled 94 out of a maximum 98 points available to secure the top spot in the pre-season poll.

There was dissention in the ranks, however, as Navy, Colgate and Lehigh also gained first-place nods from the 16 voters. Navy finished second in the poll with 76 points, including three first-place votes, followed by Colgate (69 points, one first-place vote) and Lehigh (60 points, two first-place votes).

Bucknell secured 51 points in the balloting, edging newcomer American (49) for fifth place in the poll. Lafayette (30) and Army (19) rounded out the voting in the eight-team League.

Szatko, just the second sophomore in the 11-year history of the League to win Player of the Year recognition, got the pre-season nod entering the 2002 campaign. He was named on 13 of the 16 ballots (coaches and SIDs were not allowed to vote for their own team or players), including the top selection by seven voters.

Joining Szatko in the role as pre-season favorites will be Sr. guard Ryan Serravalle (Thorold, Ontario), Jr. guard Brian Wilson (Plainfield, N.J.), Jr. forward/center Patrick Whearty (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) and Soph.guard Jave Meade (Queensboro, N.Y.). Meade was a member of the All-Rookie team in 2001.

Colgate Sr. forward Pat Campolieta (Syracuse, N.Y.), a three-time All-League choice, was named to the League's pre-season team for the second year, along with Bucknell Sr. guard Bryan Bailey (Hempstead, N.Y.), American Sr. post player Patrick Doctor (Gwynn Park, Md.) and Army Sr. guard Chris Spatola (Babylon, N.Y.).

Also returning to the Patriot League courts this season from last year's post-season squad is Lehigh second-team All-League Jr. guard Matt Logie (Mercer Island, Wash.).

Along with Meade, the other four members of the 2001 All-Rookie team returning to their respective lineups this season, include Colgate guard Mark Linebaugh (Cleona, Pa.) and center Howard Blue (Washington, D.C.), Army guard J.P. Spatola (Babylon, N.Y.) and Lehigh guard Alex Jensen (Mystic, Conn.). Linebaugh was voted by the coaches as the 2001 Rookie of the Year.

2001-02 Pre-Season Men's Basketball Poll

Institution Pts. 2001 Overall 2001 League

1. Holy Cross (10)   94 
2. Navy (3)                76 
3. Colgate (1)            69 
4. Lehigh (2)              60
5. Bucknell                 51 
6. American               49 
7. Lafayette                30
8. Army                      19 

(#)-first-place votes