Nov. 26, 2008
Complete National Release in PDF Format
Four University of Dayton football players - Bart Bergfeld, Brandon Wingeier, Sean Heenan and Patrick McCormick - have been named ESPN Academic All-Americans, it was announced today. The four Flyers named are the most for the UD football program in a single season.
Bergfeld, a senior tight end from Delphos, Ohio and Wingeier, a junior defensive end from Newark, Ohio, were named to the first team. Heenan, a senior defensive tackle from St. Joseph, Ohio and McCormick, a senior offensive guard from Louisville, Kentucky, were on the second team.
UD's four honorees were second only to Penn State's five selections. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was named the 2008 ESPN The Magazine University Division Academic All-America of the Year. Dayton's Brandon Cramer won that award last year.
Bergfeld carries 3.95 GPA in Philosophy and Religion. He was fourth on the team in receiving (21 for 230 yards) and tied for second in TD receptions (3). Wingeier had 39 tackles on the year, with 10 in the backfield and five sacks. He is a Mechanical Engineering major with a 3.76 GPA.
Heenan is a 3.44 student in Pre-Med. He was second for UD in sacks (7) and tackles in the backfield (12.5), and had 50 tackles on the year. McCormick carries a 3.66 GPA, also in Pre-Med. He was a leader on an offensive line that allowed just 18 sacks (just one for every 24 pass attempts) in 2008.
The Flyers were 9-3 this season, with all three losses by a total of 14 points. Dayton finished tied for second in the Pioneer Football League, and led the PFL in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and sacks.
The Dayton football program has produced 18 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans since the 2000 season. That's the most at any level of college football.
In the history of the Academic All-America program, UD football has had 48 Academic All-Americans. Among schools currently playing Division I football, only Nebraska (97), Penn State (53) and Notre Dame (52) have had more. Ohio State has also had 48 Academic All-Americans. UD has had at least one football player named an Academic All-American in 22 of the last 24 years.
To be nominated, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve, and carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher. Team members are selected by a vote of members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) within the district.
