Spartan Football Student-Athletes Named ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District

AURORA, Ill. November 10, 2008 - The Aurora University Spartan football program had two student-athletes named to the ESPN the Magazine District V Academic All-District Teams. To be considered for the honor, the nominated student-athletes are required to maintain a minimum 3.30 cumulative grade point average throughout their academic career at AU.

Spartans named to the 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V College Division Football Teams are senior linebacker Chris Jackowiak (Woodstock, IL/Woodstock HS) and junior running back Ryne Reder (Aurora, IL/Marmion Academy). The team is selected by the district’s Sports Information Directors.

Jackowiak, a physical education major at AU, was honored for his academic success as a student-athlete as a First-Team selection. He was an IlliniBadger Football Conference Honorable Mention All-Conference member as a junior. This season, Jackowiak had 43 tackles, one-half quarterback sack and three interceptions, one he returned for a touchdown. Jackowiak moves on to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America ballot and will be among College Division football players across the country eligible for the All-America Teams.

Reder, a fitness leadership major, was named a second-team selection. Reder holds numerous AU records for a running back including carries in a game and season (2007), he was named the IBFC Most Outstanding Running Back, First-Team All-Conference and D3football.com Third Team All-Region. As a sophomore he rushed for 1,078 yards, becoming the sixth player in AU football to break the 1,000 yard mark in a single season and had 239 rushes (an AU single season record) and 11 touchdowns. As a freshman, he was an IBFC all-conference selection. This season, he has 838 yards rushing on 172 carries and seven touchdowns.

The Spartans are currently 8-1 overall and 6-0 in Northern Athletics Conference play. The Spartans conclude the 2008 regular season on Saturday, November 15, 2008 when they host Lakeland College on senior day. Game time is set for noon on Vago Field in Aurora, IL. With a win, AU would win the 2008 NAC football conference championship and advance to the 2008 NCAA Division III Football Championships.

The ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District teams are selected by CoSIDA member Sports Information Directors within the district based on the student-athletes’ academic prowess while being a steady influence on their respective athletic field.

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