BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Seniors defensive lineman Josh Gonzalez and defensive back Ricky Sinnig of the Moravian College football team have been named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-District IV NCAA Division III Football Team selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
By making the All-District First Team, Gonzalez and Sinnig are now forwarded onto the national ballot to try for Capital One Academic All-America® accolades, which will be announced on Tuesday, December 2. Moravian has had 42 Capital One Academic All-Americans®.
To be eligible for Capital One Academic All-America® honors, a student-athlete must maintain at least a 3.30 grade-point average, be a sophomore, junior or senior and be a starter or significant reserve. Beginning in 2011-12, the program is made up of four levels – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and College Division (NAIA, Canadian colleges and junior colleges). District IV in NCAA Division III is made up of schools from Pennsylvania.
Gonzalez, who is majoring in physics with minors in mathematics and business management, is a reserve on the defensive line for the Greyhounds, who are 4-4 this season, and Gonzalez has contributed 15 tackles this fall with nine solo stops. He has played in 22 games during his career with 29 tackles with one for loss.
"This is such a great recognition for Josh," commented Head Coach Jeff Pukszyn. "He is one of the most selfless, team-oriented players we have on the roster, and I know he works hard every day to make himself and his teammates better. For him to be recognized is a testament to the type of character and work ethic that the he brings to the classroom and practice field every day."
Sinnig, who has a dual major in psychology and pre-med, is one of Moravian's tri-captains this fall for a second consecutive season and is in his third year as a starter. Sinnig, who was on the Capital One Academic All-District Team, the Centennial All-Conference Second Team and the Centennial Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll last year, is currently second on the squad through eight games with 45 tackles this fall including 32 solo stops. He also has one and a half tackles for loss, an interception, two passes defended and a forced fumble. Sinnig has made 182 tackles in his career with 109 solo stops, four and a half tackles for loss, six interceptions, one forced fumble and 12 passes defended in 28 games for the Greyhounds.
"Ricky has continued on the same path of excellence that we are used to seeing from him," stated Pukszyn. "He's a two-year captain, three-year starter, and now a two-year Academic All-District selection for a reason. Knowing Ricky, and the effort he puts into everything he does, none of this comes as a surprise. I'm glad his efforts have been recognized once again."
To view the entire 2014 Football Academic All-District Teams, visit http://www.cosida.com/documents/2014/11/6/2014_CO_AcadAllDistrict_Football.pdf.
