Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Eight Saluki Football Players Honored for Academic Excellence
11/29/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 29, 2004
ST. LOUIS - Eight players from the Southern Illinois football team were among the 32 student-athletes honored by the Gateway Conference Monday for their combination of athletic and academic excellence.
The Salukis, who finished 10-2 overall and claimed the league title with a 7-0 record, had more players named to the all-academic team than any other conference school.
SIU quarterback Joel Sambursky, linebacker Tony Rinella and tight end Chris Kupec were named to the first team. Linebacker Phillip Doyle and offensive tackle Matt Miller were selected to the second team, and cornerback Brad Brachear, safety Marlon Heaston and fullback J.T. Wise picked up honorable mention honors.
"Wins and losses are important, but the bottom line with our program is that we want to prepare these young men to be successful after they graduate," head coach Jerry Kill said. "I couldn't be more proud of our team's academic success."
Gateway Conference all-academic team members must be starters or important reserves with at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale). Student-athletes must have reached sophomore academic and athletic standing at their institutions (freshmen are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at their institution. League sports information directors voted on the team by designating 11 players for first-team honors and 11 players for second-team honors.
2004 Gateway Academic All-Conference Football Team
(voting by league SIDs)
FIRST TEAM
Student-Athlete, School (GPA, Major)
DL Tom Brillhart, Indiana State (3.51 U.S. History)
PK Stephen Carroll, Illinois State (3.52, Public Relations)
C Perry Cox, Western Illinois (3.966, Business Management)
C Brad Durham, SMS (3.51, Middle School Education)
PK Kyle Hooper, Indiana State (3.58, Business Administration)
QB Phillip Johnson, Indiana State (3.59, Business Administration)
TE Chris Kupec, Southern Illinois (3.48, Aviation Flight)
PK Justin Langan, Western Illinois (3.666, Bio Sciences)
LB Tony Rinella, Southern Illinois (3.41, History)
QB Joel Sambursky, Southern Illinois (3.47, Finance)
TB Jake Shields, Indiana State (3.38, Business Administration)
WR Justin Surrency, UNI (3.32, Communications/Electronic Media)
SECOND TEAM
TE Shawn Carlson, Youngstown State (3.37, Exercise Science)
P Brian Claybourn, Western Kentucky (3.18, Marketing)
LB Phillip Doyle, Southern Illinois (3.19, English)
OL Fred Freitag, Indiana State (3.38, Radio/TV/Film)
QB Steve LaFalce, Western Illinois (3.419, Finance)
WR James Lindgren, UNI (3.93, Biology and Chemistry)
OT Matt Miller, Southern Illinois (3.19, Finance)
C John Schabilion, UNI (3.85, Quantitative Economics)
DE Justin Scholes, Youngstown State (3.21, Mechanical Engineering)
C Doug Wilkinson, UNI (3.20, English Education)
HONORABLE MENTION
Illinois State: OG Stafford Davis
Indiana State: DL Jon Ferber; DL Kyle Mitchell
UNI: WR Curt Bradley
Southern Illinois: CB Brad Brachear; S Marlon Heaston; FB J.T. Wise
Western Illinois: LB Michael Kasprak
Youngstown State: LB Marty Hutchinson; PK Nick Terracina
