Friday, January 3, 2014

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Three Pioneer Football League student-athletes were among the 43 selections to the 16th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team were announced by the FCS ADA, today. There were 90 total nominees.

The three PFL Student-Athletes named to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team were: Kurt Odom, Campbell; Robbie Beathard, San Diego; and Blake Oliaro, San Diego.

“The FCS ADA is honored to present this prestigious award to our football student-athletes each year,” stated FCS ADA President Brian Hutchinson, director of athletics, Morehead State University. “Each year, these young men epitomize the definition of student-athlete, both in the classroom and on the field. Our Association is pleased to recognize their accomplishments annually.”

Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision institutions are eligible for these prestigious awards. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. He must have reached his second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. He must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.

Additionally, from the Academic All-Star team, seven finalists were selected for the 13th Annual FCS ADA’s $5,000 Postgraduate Scholarships. Two student-athletes will receive postgraduate scholarships during the Association’s annual membership meeting held in conjunction with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention, being held at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla., June 9-12.

The finalists are Brett Biestek, Fordham University, DL, 3.78 GPA; Tanner Bleskin, Montana State University, WR, 3.85 GPA; Jordan Hanberry, Nicholls State University, DB, 4.00 GPA; Scott Hyland, Liberty University, LB, 3.94 GPA; Niccolo Mastromatteo, Coastal Carolina University, WR/PR, 3.94 GPA; Austin Pucylowski, Southern Illinois University, P, 4.00 GPA; and Michael Runger, Dartmouth College, LB, 3.77 GPA.

A special Review Committee of Football Championship Subdivision athletics directors was responsible for selecting the all-star team and scholarship finalists. Completing this task were Brian Hutchinson, Morehead State (chair); Ken Beazer, Southern Utah; Charlie Cobb, Appalachian State; Ron Strollo, Youngstown State; and Jeff Tingey, Idaho State.