CLEVELAND – University of Dayton redshirt senior Chris Beaschler has been named to the 19th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team.  The 44-man team was announced by the FCS ADA Jan. 6.

"The FCS ADA is honored to recognize these football student-athletes selected to the 19th annual Academic All-Star Team," stated FCS ADA President Mark Wilson, director of athletics at Tennessee Tech University. "We are proud that these young men continue to accomplish high achievement in the classroom, on the field, in the community and we are excited to recognize them for their efforts."

The linebacker from Ada, Ohio is a two-time First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American and the PFL Scholar-Athlete of the Year.  He is just one of three student-athletes in the Pioneer Football League to be named both First Team All-PFL and First Team Academic All-PFL in the last three seasons.

He was also one of 12 finalists for the National Football Foundation's Campbell Trophy this year, which is sometimes referred to as the "Academic Heisman."

A two-time team captain, Beaschler led Dayton in tackles for a third straight season (88), and was fourth in the PFL. He also led the team in solo hits (56) and was credited with 5.0 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, one QB hurry, and three sacks. He had at least 10 tackles twice in 2016, acquiring 12 tackles in contests against Duquesne and Drake.

Beaschler carries a 3.73 GPA in Mechanical Engineering.

Additionally, Beaschler was one of nine finalists who were selected for the 16th Annual FCS ADA $5,000 Postgraduate Scholarships.  Two student-athletes will receive postgraduate scholarships during the Association's annual membership meeting held in conjunction with the 2017 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention, being held at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida, June 12-15.

Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision institutions are eligible for the award. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. He must have reached his second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. He must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.
 
A special Review Committee of Football Championship Subdivision athletics directors was responsible for selecting the all-star team and scholarship finalists. Completing this task were Mark Wilson, Tennessee Tech (chair); Thorr Bjorn, Rhode Island; Bruce McCutcheon, Lafayette; and Bill Smith, Bryant.