WEST LONG BRANCH,
N.J.- Monmouth University football players Tyler George (Berkeley Heights,
N.J./Gov. Livingston), Eric Spillane (Howell, N.J./Colts Neck) and Andrew
Sutton were recently named Capital One Academic All-District II selections
" We are very happy that three of our players have been recognized for their
academic achievement," said MU head coach Kevin Callahan. "In addition to being
fine players, they demonstrate the ability to balance challenging academic
programs with the demands of Division I football. We are proud to that they
represent Monmouth University football as members of the First Team All
-District II Academic Team."
It marks the 13th consecutive season that Monmouth has had a player
named on the All-District II First Team and the second time that the Hawks have
had three players honored. FBS and FCS schools from New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky comprise District II. The three players will now join the honorees from other districts for Academic All-America consideration.
Sutton, a senior safety, earns the award for the second consecutive season
after posting a 3.88 grade point average. The Williamstown, N.J., native has started all
nine games at safety, recording 28 tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble
recovery. Last season he was named to the NACDA Academic All-Star Team and his
GPA is the highest among starting players.
George, a fifth -year senior, has started 41 games in his career with the Hawks
at tight end. He currently ranks fourth
on Monmouth in catches and is a part of the Northeast Conference's best passing
and total offense. The Berkeley Heights, N.J. product ranks third all-time in
receptions at Monmouth (120) and recently moved into sixth all-time at Monmouth
in reception yardage, surpassing former Hawk and NFL tight end John Nalbone. A
communications major, George needs 17 yards in his final collegiate game to
surpass Rick Finer for fifth place in the MU record books for receiving
yardage.
Spillane,
a junior from Howell, N.J., already owns many of the Monmouth place kicking
records. His 35 successful field goals
and 74.4 field goal percentage are Monmouth records while he currently
ranks sixth all-time in scoring with 194 points. Spillane, a criminal justice major with a
3.81 GPA, needs three field goal attempts to break Fred Weingart's record of 49
career attempts. This season he has converted 32-of-33 point after attempts,
which ties his own record (shared with Weingart) for successful PATs in a
season.
Monmouth wraps up the 2012 season this Saturday when they travel to play rival Robert Morris. Kickoff is
slated for 12 p.m.
