Montclair State University Athletics

Al Cappello was a three-year starter at guard for the Red Hawks helping Montclair State to NJAC Championships in 1999 and 2000 and three consecutive trips to the NCAA Division III Playoffs. He was a two-time All-NJAC selection, including back-to-back First-Team honors in 2001 and 2002 and was twice voted to the ECAC All-Star Team. A preseason All-American in 2002, Cappello anchored the line during the most prolific offensive years for MSU which averaged 30 points and nearly 400 yards per game during his career. Included in that was the 2001 campaign when the Red hawks set school records for points scored (396) and passing yards (3,454) while boasting the second-best single-season mark for total yards (4,583). Cappello served as team captain for the 2002 season and was named First-Team All-Region by Football Gazette. It was one of several honors for Cappello, who was the Essex County chapter's recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. He was selected as the NJAC Male Athlete of the Year for 2002-03 becoming just the second male and fourth Montclair State athlete overall to earn the conference's highest honor.