Schneider Named Academic All-America

Verizon and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) combined to announce that four UW-Oshkosh student-athletes received Academic All-America accolades during the 2002-03 school year. The UW-Oshkosh mentions represent the third-highest total in school history, with seven Academic All-America awards received during the 1997-98 school year and six in 1996-97.

UW-Oshkosh student-athletes cited for their academic and athletic excellence were Debra Ashenbrenner from women's tennis, Eamon McKenna from men's cross country and track and field, Justin Schneider from football and Elizabeth Woodworth from women's cross country and track and field.

McKenna and Schneider were both first team selections, with McKenna picked to the College Division Men's Cross Country and Track and Field Team and Schneider to the College Division Football Team. Woodworth was a second team selection on the College Division Women's Cross Country and Track and Field Team, while Ashenbrenner was a third team choice on the College Division Women's At-Large Team. The College Division of the Verizon Academic All-America program includes schools affiliated with the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III or the NAIA.

Schneider, a senior from West Bend, owns a 3.71 cumulative grade point average as a double major in accounting and finance. The defensive lineman received All-WIAC first team honors last fall after totaling 58 tackles, including 13 for a loss and six quarterback sacks. He also was tabbed as a third team selection on the Football Gazette's NCAA Division III All-West Region team.

Recognized as one of the most prestigious collegiate scholar-athlete award programs in the country, the Verizon Academic All-America program cites student-athletes who have succeeded in their playing venue and in the classroom. Individuals are selected by a vote of the 1,800-member CoSIDA. To be eligible, an athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20 on a scale of 4.00. Since the inception of the Verizon Academic All-America Program in 1952, 29 UW-Oshkosh student-athletes have combined for 38 awards, including four-time honoree Laura Nelson in women's cross country and track and field.