Ramapo College Renames Race for Late Track Star

A college track meet Saturday is being renamed for a Ramapo College track star who died last year in a bicycling accident.

Family members of Andrew Capizzi announced that Ramapo will honor his memory at the 5th Annual Ramapo College Roadrunner Invitational. The men's steeplechase will now be called the "Andrew Capizzi Memorial 3000m Steeplechase."

According to a report from the school, Capizzi was a four-year star member of the men’s cross country and track and field teams. The Paramus native graduated from Ramapo in 2011 with a degree in psychology, and went on to get his Master’s in forensic psychology from John Jay College.

According to the Roadrunners report, Capizzi “served as captain of the cross country team, and broke the college's record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase." He also earned the NJAC 1st Team All-Conference honors in 2009 and 2010, the coach's award in 2009, and was named most valuable runner in 2010, the report said.  

Capizzi was also on the Dean's List all four years at Ramapo, and was previously an honor student and track star at Paramus High School. 

Capizzi was killed last June in a bicycling accident.

Family members say they plan to be in Mahwah Saturday for the re-dedicated track event.