Miami Leads BIG EAST With 10 All-Academic Honorees

Feb. 8, 2001

Providence, R.I. – Ten University of Miami football players have earned a spot on the 2000 BIG EAST Conference All-Academica Football Team. Senior receiver Michael Stewart became one of a select group of football players in BIG EAST history by earning his fourth consecutive All-Academic honor, while three other Hurricanes earned a spot on the team for the third time in their careers.

Twenty-seven repeat selections were included on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team. Three players – Ryan Burch of Boston College, Michael Stewart of Miami and Syracuse’s Pat Woodcock – were honored for the fourth time, the 10th, 11th and 12th players in conference history to accomplish the feat. It is also the fifth straight season the league has set a new high for number of All-Academic Team members.

“These players are the top student-athletes BIG EAST football has to offer,” Commissioner Michael Tranghese said. “We are very proud to honor them with these selections.”

Nine players were named for the third time in their careers. Miami had three players earn their third selection – wide receiver Andr? King, fullback William McPartland and offensive lineman Joaquin Gonzalez. Fullback Ryan Utzler of Boston College, Pittsburgh defensive back Mark Ponko, Rutgers center Jeremy Womack, wideout Andr? Davis of Virginia Tech, fullback Jeremy Knapp and wide receiver Seth Abraham of West Virginia were also selected for the third time.

Nine All-BIG EAST choices made the squad. Mike Sutphin (BC), Ken Dorsey (UM), Gonzalez (UM) and Dave Kadela (VT) were first team picks in the fall, while Mike Cook (BC), Paul LaQuerre (BC), Davis (VT), Mark Fazzolari (WVU) and Khori Ivy (WVU) were All-BIG EAST Second Team. Boston College, Miami, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia tied for the most honorees with 10. The Mountaineers have the most all-time selections with 71 in 10 seasons of BIG EAST play.

The All-Academic Team recognizes letterwinners who have posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better. Student-athletes who have completed a minimum of two semesters of academic work are eligible. It is the 10th consecutive season the BIG EAST has honored its student-athletes with an academic team.

Boston College senior RaMon Johnson heads a record group of 65 student-athletes named to the All-Academic Football Team. The Eagle defensive back is the winner of the BIG EAST/A?ropostale Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, presented for the first time this season. He receives a $2,000 scholarship which may be applied to graduate or professional studies.

A native of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, Johnson excelled in all aspects at Boston College. A team tri-captain this past season, he led the Eagles with 85 tackles (59 unassisted). He also had two interceptions. He played in 33 career games (24 starts) and two bowl contests, recording 59 tackles as a junior and 34 as a sophomore. Johnson finished his career on a strong note, registering a game-high 12 tackles in the Eagles’ 31-17 win over Arizona State in the Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl on Dec. 25.

In the classroom, Johnson earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance in just three and a half years. He is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) program at Boston College and has taken 10 classes towards that degree. He is a two-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team choice and a Dean’s List student. He has also participated in the Tucker Anthony/BIG EAST Challenge and the BC Pen Pal Program, where athletes correspond regularly with inner-city school children.

The BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Awards were established to recognize student-athletes who have achieved success in the classroom and on the field. The BIG EAST Male, Female and Men’s and Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athletes will be announced in conjunction with the BIG EAST Basketball Championships on March 2 and 6. A?ropostale is in the second year of a multi-year sponsorship with The BIG EAST and first as sponsor of the Scholar-Athlete awards. A leading specialty retailer for young men and women, A?ropostale offers casual apparel and accessories for today’s youth market. The company operates over 220 stores in 30 states with plans to open 50 additional stores in 2001.

2000 BIG EAST All-Academic Football Team