July 17, 2008

By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com

CoSIDA Academic All-America all-time total rankings

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University Softball program ranks No. 2 all-time for total Academic All-America selections as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The Salukis have placed a total of 20 student-athletes on Academic All-America Teams, and at least one in each of the last six years, while The University of Nebraska tops the list released by CoSIDA with 25 all-time.

"This is a great credit to all the student-athletes that have been honored throughout the years," said head coach Kerri Blaylock. "Being ranked second all-time speaks volumes about the program and athletic department's commitment to academics as well as athletics."

2008 senior outfielder Krystal Stein became the most recent Academic All-American after posting a 4.0 cumulative grade point average in speech communication, and leading the Salukis this past season with 28 runs scored. It was also Stein's second career selection to the Academic All-America Team after being chosen in 2006.

In the last nine seasons under Blaylock, who recently signed a five-year contract extension, the Saluki softball program has had eight Academic All-America selctions, and five in the last three years.

Last fall the Salukis also boasted a 3.557 team GPA, which ranked second among the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's All-Academic teams for the 2007 season, and was the highest-ever ranking in the program's history. SIU has also been among the NFCA's Top-10 All-Academic teams in six out of the last seven years.

To be eligible for an Academic All-America selection, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Softball CoSIDA Academic All-America selections all-time
1. University of Nebraska - 25
2. Southern Illinois University - 20
3. Florida Southern College - 19
4. Fresno State - 18
4. Illinois Wesleyan University - 18
4. The College of New Jersey - 18
7. DePaul University - 17
7. Northern Illinois University - 17
7. University of Notre Dame - 17
10. Kent State University - 14
10. McDaniel College - 14
10. Ohio Northern University - 14