Southern Illinoise University Athletics
McElroy Named Academic All-American
11/24/2009 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 24, 2009
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
TOWSON, Md. - Southern Illinois junior free safety Mike McElroy was named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America second team Tuesday, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). McElroy becomes the first Saluki to receive Academic All-America accolades since 1991 and just the sixth in school history.
The native of Lowell, Mich. (Lowell HS) is having a fine season both on and off the field. McElroy sports a 3.73 GPA in health education. The last time Southern Illinois had a student-athlete named an academic all-American was in 1991, when Jon Manley and Dwayne Summers both received first team honors.
"Mike McElroy is the type of student-athlete that every coach in the country wants on his team," head coach Dale Lennon said. "On the field, he's a fierce competitor and strong leader who will put the well being of his team ahead of his personal goals. In the classroom, his commitment to academic success parallels his dedication to the game of football. Mike exemplifies the positive qualities of what is good in college athletics."
In his second year starting in the SIU secondary, McElroy has led the Salukis to the 2009 Missouri Valley Football Conference Championship and the No. 1 ranking in the Sports Network poll with a 10-1 record.
His six interceptions tied for the most in the conference with teammate Korey Lindsey and Southern Illinois as a team tied for the nation's lead with 21 interceptions so far this season. McElroy is tied for ninth nationally with 0.55 interceptions per game.
McElroy's 129 return yards off his interceptions is the third-most in a single-season in school history. He returned one interception 80-yards for a touchdown in a 44-24 win over Missouri State on Nov. 14.
He ranks second on the team with 65 tackles and has 7.0 tackles for a loss.
The newly crowned academic all-American looks to lead his team in the 2009 NCAA Division I Football Championships, as Southern Illinois is preparing for its first round matchup with Eastern Illinois. The Salukis and Panthers play in McAndrew Stadium this Saturday at 1 p.m.
