CLEVELAND – Two University of Dayton senior football players – running back Jake Chisholm and linebacker Ben Schmiesing – have been named to the 25th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team.  The 53-man team was announced by the FCS ADA Jan. 5.

Schools are limited to two nominations each year, and Dayton is one of just seven institutions to have both of their student-athletes named.  The other schools are Campbell, North Carolina Central, North Dakota State, Princeton, Tennessee Tech, and William & Mary. 

Chisholm is also a finalist for the 22nd  Annual FCS ADA $5,000 Postgraduate Scholarship. Two student-athletes from the 10 finalists will receive postgraduate scholarships.   

Current FCS ADA President, Tom Michael, Director of Athletics at Eastern Illinois University, reflected, "Each year we have the incredible opportunity to read about and review many nominations from some amazing football student-athletes that compete at a high level in every aspect of being part of intercollegiate athletics. They obviously excel at a very high level in the classroom but also demonstrate an incredible commitment to being an integral part of the communities they live in as well. " 

Michael went on to say, "With such an outstanding group of nominees, selecting individuals to represent the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team was not an easy decision by the committee. However, those selected have achieved so much and the future is extremely bright with their leadership. My congratulations to each of the student-athletes selected and thank you for all you do representing yourself, your football team, and your institution in an excellent manner. "


Dayton's first four-time Academic All-American, Chisholm was presented the FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Award as 2022's top FCS scholar-athlete Saturday evening.  He was also a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's Campbell Trophy, which is sometimes referred to as the "Academic Heisman."  He graduated magna cum laude in Pre-Med with a 3.98 cumulative grade point average in December. 

Schmiesing joined Chisholm as a First Team All-Pioneer Football League and First Team Academic All-Pioneer Football League selection.  Schmiesing was UD's top tackler (89) which was eighth in the PFL.  He has a 3.98 GPA as he pursues his MBA after graduating with honors from Ohio State as a three-year walk-on.

Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) 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. They must have reached their 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. They must also have participated in 50 percent (50%) of the games played at their designated position.