Ten Huskers Named Academic All-Big 12

Irving, Texas?For the second straight year, Nebraska set a school record for Academic All-Big 12 selections, as 10 Husker baseball players were among the 71 student-athletes named to the 2009 Academic All-Big 12 Baseball Team announced Thursday.

The 10 student-athletes broke the previous school mark of nine set last season and in 2004, while the eight first-team selections topped the previous high of seven first-team honorees also established last year. Nebraska now has had 62 academic All-Big 12 honorees all-time, a total which is second among conference baseball schools.

Nebraska had eight members on the first-team, including D.J. Belfonte, Matt Freeman, Casey Hauptman, Jake Mort, Cody Neer, Eric Rose, Nick Sullivan and Jeff Tezak. It is Sullivan’s and Mort’s third Academic All-Big 12 award and the second for Belfonte. Both Sullivan and Mort also graduated last weekend. In addition to the eight first-team honorees, Tyler Farst and Michael Mariot both received second-team laurels.

Nominated by each institution’s director of student-athlete support services and media relations offices, the baseball academic all-league squad consisted of 52 first-team members combined with 19 on the second team.  First-team members have recorded a 3.20 or better GPA, while the second team are those with a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters. All position players nominated must have participated in 60 percent of their team’s scheduled contests, while pitchers are required to have at least one inning pitched per game played by the team or have appeared in  20 percent of their team’s total games.  Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

The Huskers wrap up the home schedule this weekend, as they take on Baylor beginning Friday night. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. with afternoon games set for both Saturday (2:05 p.m.) and Sunday (1:05 p.m.).

Nebraska’s 2009 Academic All-Big 12 baseball Team Members

First Team (3.20-plus GPA; *indicates nominated with a 4.00 GPA)

Name 

Class

Major

 Hometown

DJ Belfonte

Jr.

Finance

Kansas City, Mo.

Matt Freeman

So.

Nutritional Science & Dietetics

Omaha, Neb.

Casey Hauptman

So.

Business Administration

Omaha, Neb.

Jake Mort

Sr.

Spanish

Nebraska City, Neb.

Cody Neer

Sr.

Communication Studies

Orlando, Fla.

Eric Rose

So.

Psychology

Billings, Mont.

Nick Sullivan

Sr.

Finance

Arvada, Colo.

Jeff Tezak

Sr.

History

San Diego, Calif.

 

 

 

 

Second Team (3.00 to 3.19 gPA)

Name, School 

Class

Major

 Hometown

Tyler Farst

 Jr.

History

Cedar Park, Texas

Michael  Mariot

 So.

 Communication Studies

Southlake, Texas