David McNeill added yet another accolade on Tuesday. McNeill, the 5,000-meter indoor and outdoor national champion, was selected as the Male Academic All-American of the Year in the University division for men's track and field and cross country.
He was chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America as part of the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American team.
McNeill is one of 12 student-athletes in the country to earn Academic All-American of the Year, joining the likes of Florida's Tim Tebow in football, Kansas' Cole Aldrich in men's basketball and Connecticut's Maya Moore in women's basketball.
McNeill claimed the outdoor national championship in the 5k less than two weeks ago, finishing the run in 13:44.81
On top of his performance on the track, McNeill compiled a 3.75 grade point average and is majoring in exercise science.
"It is a nice recognition for an area of life where you are putting in just as much time, if not more, into your studies," said McNeill, who was an Academic All-American First-Team selection last year. "I take as much pride in my studies as I do the running. This particular award is a reminder of the fantastic opportunities that I have at Northern Arizona University, and to be on a full scholarship lends me to be thankful to all those who make it possible. This award is a great reminder of all my opportunities that I have to be here in the U.S."
McNeill joins former track standout Rikke Pedersen as the only multiple first-team selections in school history. She earned three consecutive women's at-large Academic All-America first-team selections from 1997-99.
Earlier this year, McNeill was named Mountain Region Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association for both the indoor and outdoor seasons, as well as the 2009 cross country season. He is also one of 10 finalists for the Bowerman Award given to the nation's top track and field athlete.
"It's amazing how much dedication he has to not only running but to academics and being a well-rounded individual," NAU coach Eric Heins said. "It says a lot about him and his parents and what is important to him."
His list of academic accolades for the 2009-10 campaign continues to grow. He was named the 2009 Division I Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for cross country by USTFCCCA and was chosen as the Northern Arizona Golden Eagle Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
McNeill, who has exhausted his eligibility in track and field, will return for his senior season in cross country this fall.
To be eligible for Academic All-American consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 15,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.
