Denley named academic all-star by I-AA athletic directors         

[JAN. 4, 2006]  NORMAL -- Proving that it counts to succeed off the field as well as on the field, Illinois State senior tight end Jonathan Denley was one of 44 players named to the Division I-AA Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team. The winners were chosen from 102 nominees and were announced at the Division I-AA football championship in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The Calhoun City, Miss., native earned a 3.72 grade-point average during the fall 2005 semester, making him eligible for the award. In addition, the senior played in all 11 games for the Redbirds and finished the season with 10 catches for 80 yards. However, Denley's talents as a blocker may have been more noticeable than his pass catching statistics, as he blocked for an offense that averaged 39.2 points per game and a league-best 40.7 points per conference game.

Denley's talents both on and off the field also made him a Gateway Football Conference All-Academic First Team selection and an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2005.

"We are proud of the young men who have earned this award," said Don Kaverman, chair of the all-star selection committee and athletics director at Southeast Missouri State. "They represent the outstanding student-athletes found in Division I-AA football."

Football players from all Division I-AA institutions were eligible for the award. Each of the 102 nominees was 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. Each must also 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.

Denley joins Stephen Carroll (2004) and Adam Waugh (2001) as recipients from ISU to win the award.

[Illinois State University news release from Mike Williams]

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