Illinois States Stephen Carroll is as sure-footed in the classroom as he is on the field and in recognition of his excellence in both areas the junior place kicker was named to the 2003 Academic All-District V University Division Football Team Thursday.
This is the 11th consecutive year that the Redbird football program has had representation on the all-district team. The District V team is chosen annually from I-A and I-AA football players from the four state region of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin. To be considered for the academic team, student-athletes must be a starter or an important reserve, who carries a minimum grade point average of 3.20. The voting is done by sports information directors within each district.
As a selection of the District V team, Carroll will be placed on the ballot for the 2003 Academic All-America Football team. The national team will be announced on December 12.
We are proud of Steve and appreciative of the recognition he has received for his hard work in the classroom and on the field, head coach Denver Johnson said. He is an outstanding student-athlete that embodies the good of college athletics.
Carroll has converted 14 of his 18 field goal attempts, all 30 PAT kicks this season and leads the team in scoring with 72 points. He has successfully converted 79 straight PATs, which is the second longest streak in both Illinois State and Gateway Football Conference history.
The OFallon, Ill., native owns a 72.2 percent career field goal percentage which is the best in school history. He also owns the Hancock Stadium record with a 56-yard field goal set during the 2002 season against Youngstown State. Carroll ranks No. 3 in Redbird history with 39 made field goals in his career. He is also No. 5 in career points with 205, which ranks fourth by a kicker.
Carroll is also a member of the deans list and the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll.
