Spartans Place Four on First Team Academic All-District Team
Nov 7, 2013 | J.Crane
DUBUQUE, IOWA – The University of Dubuque Football team placed four student-athletes on the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District (District #8) First Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for their performance in the classroom, in the community, and on the football field. Spartans selected were Tyson Carter (Port Elgin, Ontario/Saugeen), Doug Lillibridge (Byron, Ill./Byron), Zach Marotta (Wayne, Ill./South Elgin), and Blaine Snitker (Waukon, Iowa/Waukon). To be selected the student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher and be a sophomore or above.
The 2013 voting marks the third straight year that the Spartans have placed four individuals on the First Team and 14 total all-district honorees in Head Coach Stan Zweifel’s five seasons at UD. The Spartans led the Iowa Conference with four of the total eight selections for the conference.
A repeat honoree, Carter is a Biology and Pre-Professional Health Science double major with a 3.94 GPA. He has been the Spartans long snapper for all Special Team units for the last 39 games with over 250 snaps without a bad snap. Carter, a senior, was also named a Semifinalist for the National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy and an American Football Coaches of America Good Works Team Nominee. He has made two tackles on special teams this season in addition to his responsibilities as the long snapper.
Snitker is a Physical Education, K-12 major with a minor in Secondary Education in Math who boasts a 3.93 GPA. He leads the Iowa Conference and is 59th in Division III with 80 total tackles. After spending his freshman year starting at defensive end, Snitker has flourished since moving back to outside linebacker with 33 solo tackles, 8.0 tackles for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. His big play ability was demonstrated against Central when he intercepted a pass and returned it 31 yards for touchdown. He is one of seven sophomores who start on defense for the Spartans.
Lillibridge, a senior, is a double major in Business Administration and Accounting with a 4.0 GPA in his two years at UD. Like Carter, he has made a major impact for the Spartans on Special Teams as the punter and holder on all extra points and field goals. As a punter, Lillibridge has punted 34 times for 1,250 yards for a 36.8 yards average. He has two punts of over 50 yards with a long of 61 yards.
A first time honoree, Marotta is a Secondary Education – Math and Science Major with minors in Coaching and Reading who maintains a 3.93 grade point average. The sophomore defensive lineman has 27 tackles with 14 solo tackles. In addition, he has recorded 4.0 tackles for a loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery. He is one of seven sophomores who start on defense for the Spartans.
The Academic All-District list can be found at: Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District Football
District 8 consists of Division III Universities/Colleges from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Canada.
First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All-American Team ballot, where first, second, and third team All-American honorees will be announced on December 3rd.
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