With four first-team selections, Illinois State tied for the largest representation on the All-Gateway Football Conference Academic Team that was announced Tuesday. Northern Iowa equalled the feat, but the Birds have had nine first team honorees in the two years.
Illinois State first-team honorees were Dusty Burk (3.66 in marketing, Tuscola, Ill.), offensive tackle Andy King (3.49 in telecommunications management, Lincoln, Ill.), linebacker Adam Waugh (4.00 in political science, Libertyville, Ill.) and center Teddy Wulf (3.44 in finance, Bloomington, Ill.).
Redbird offensive tackle Aaron Peterson (3.63 in anthropology, Rhinelander, Wis.) and tight end Mark Schaeve (3.31 in political science, Verona, Wis.) were each named to the second-team.
Players must be starters or important reserves with at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale). Student-athletes must have reached sophomore academic and athletic standing at their institutions (freshmen are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at their institution. League sports information directors voted on the team by designating 11 players for first-team honors and 11 players for second-team honors. This years teams included 13 players because of a tie in the voting.
