Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Three Football Players Named Academic All-District
11/05/2009 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 5, 2009
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - For the second year in a row, three Southern Illinois football players were selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District teams, as voted upon by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Senior linebacker Ryan Patton, senior tight end Ryan Kernes and junior safety Mike McElroy were all voted to the University Division District V first team for the second year in a row. The trio joins J.T. Wise (2005, 2006) as the only players in program history to be named first team academic all-district twice in a career.
With their first team selections, all three Salukis become eligible for consideration for the honor of Academic All-American, which will be announced Nov. 24.
Patton carries a 4.00 grade point average in business administration. This season he has recorded 32 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss of 16 yards. He has forced one fumble and broken up one pass on the year. Patton has twice been named academic all-conference and last season he was a recipient of the leagues President's Council Academic Excellence Award, which requires a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and less than 18 hours of coursework remaining.
Kernes also sports a 4.00 grade point average, as he is majoring in civil engineering. Through eight games in 2008, he has caught six passes for 93 yards with one 42-yard TD reception in a 43-23 victory over Illinois State on Oct. 10. Kernes' 11 career touchdown receptions are tied for the seventh-most in school history. The Bloominton, Ill. native is two-time honorable mention All-MVFC and academic all-conference selection and received the Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award in 2007.
McElroy has a 3.727 grade point average in health education. He is third on the team with 46 tackles and adds 4.0 tackles for a loss this season. McElroy's five interceptions on the year are the third most in the nation and his eight career picks tie for the 13th-most in school history. In 2008, McElroy earned the Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award, was named MVFC All-Academic Second Team and was the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week after the season opener.
To be eligible, student-athletes must have reached sophomore academic standing, been at their school for a full academic year and carry at least a 3.30 G.P.A.
