NEWARK, DE -- For the second straight year, University of Delaware senior offensive tackle Mike Byrne has been named to the ESPN The Magazine/College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) District 2 All-Academic football team.

Byrne (at right), a 6-6, 295 lb. criminal justice major from Lititz, PA (Manheim Central High School), was among 24 players selected to the first team based on their academic and athletic accomplishments. The voting was conducted by sports information directors at member schools. He is now eligible for the Academic All-American team, which will be announced later in November.

Student-athletes must carry a 3.2 or better grade point index on a 4.0 scale, have at least sophomore eligibility, and be a starter or key reserve for their team to be eligible. District 2 includes all NCAA Division I schools in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Byrne, a pre-season first team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection after earning third team honors last season, serves as a tri-captain for Delaware and has led the No. 9 ranked Blue Hens to an 8-2 record heading into the regular season finale Saturday at Villanova.

He is the top offensive lineman for a squad that ranks among the top offensive units in the country. Delaware ranks first in the CAA in passing offense (307.7), total offense (486.8), and scoring offense (40.9), and fifth in rushing offense (179.1) and sacks allowed (1.5 per game). The Hens rank third nationally in total offense, fourth in scoring offense, and fifth in passing offense.

Byrne carries a 3.5 grade point average as a double major in psychology and criminal justice. He earned second team CoSIDA District 2 All-Academic honors a year ago and is a three-time league Academic Honor Roll recipient.

Earlier this fall, Byrne was selected as a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Draddy Award for academic excellence, leadership, and citizenship.

AGATE:

ESPN The Magazine/College Sports Information Directors of American District 2 All-Academic 1st Team: QB: Scott Knapp (Duquesne); WR -Brendan Circle (Princeton), Jordan Norwood (Penn State); TE - Matt Sherry (Villanova); RB - Kyle Van Fleet (Georgetown), Nick Cisler (Pennsylvania); OL - Mike Byrne (Delaware), Gerald Cadogan (Penn State), Andrew Musick (Monmouth), Nick Richmond (Delaware State), Matt Stansfield (Duquesne); K - Peter Gaertner (Delaware State); DB - Tyson Maugle (Pennsylvania), Patrick Kimener (Pennsylvania), Mark Rubin (Penn State); LB - Brandon Renkart (Rutgers), Reed Williams (West Virginia), Sean Lee (Penn State); DL - Mark Szymanski (Robert Morris), Ryan Walsh (Bucknell), Kevin Walsh (Monmouth); P - Greg Veteto (Navy).