Thursday, January 3, 2013

CLEVELAND –  Five Pioneer Football League student-athletes were among the 54 winners of the 15th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team presented by KP Sports.

The Pioneer Football League student-athletes selected to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team were:

• Campbell placekicker Sam Eberwein
• Campbell running back Kurt Odom
• Morehead State placekicker/punter Rainer Duzan
• San Diego defensive lineman Blake Oliaro
• San Diego offensive lineman Matt Peleti

"The FCS ADA is pleased to honor the accomplishments of our football student-athletes each year with our Academic All-Star Team," said FCS ADA President Ron Strollo, director of athletics at Youngstown State University. "The accolades of these young men both in the classroom and on the field epitomize the definition of student-athlete and our Association looks forward to recognizing 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, six finalists were selected for the 12th annual FCS ADA's $5,000 Postgraduate Scholarships presented by KP Sports. 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 13-15.

The finalists are Kyle Bernard, University of Northern Iowa, Punter, 3.82 GPA; Nick DeKraker, Youngstown State University, Defensive Lineman, 3.93 GPA; Patrick Ford, Eastern Kentucky University, Offensive Lineman, 3.90 GPA; Pat Kelly, Liberty University, Wide Receiver, 4.0 GPA; Chris Looney, Colgate University, Wide Receiver, 3.90 GPA; Andrew Sutton, Monmouth University, Defensive Back, 3.88 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 Ron Strollo, Youngstown State (chair); Ken Beazer, Southern Utah; Charlie Cobb, Appalachian State; Brian Hutchinson, Morehead State; Marilyn McNeil, Monmouth; and Jeff Tingey, Idaho State.