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University of Massachusets Athletics
Nelson Named To FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team
January 04, 2011 | Football
Jan. 4, 2011
CLEVELAND, Ohio - UMass senior wide receiver Anthony Nelson continues to pile up academic honors after a standout season on and off the field. He was named one of 52 winners of the 13th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team were announced by the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA). Nelson posted a 3.88 GPA in leading the CAA in receptions and receiving yards in the regular-season.
Nelson was named to the ESPN Academic All-American Football First Team in November. He is UMass' first Academic All-American since linebacker Mark Kimener in 2003.
A first team All-Colonial Athletic Association wide receiver as a junior and senior, Nelson led the CAA with 61 catches for 830 yards and four touchdowns. An Economics major with a 3.88 G.P.A., he helped Massachusetts post a 6-5 record. A transfer from Hofstra, he finished his career with 180 receptions for 2,212 yards. A native of Wellington, Fla., Nelson also excelled as a return specialist.
"The FCS ADA looks forward to honoring the accomplishments of its football student-athletes each year with the announcement of the Academic All-Star Team," said FCS ADA President Greg Burke, chair of the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team Selection Committee and athletics director at Northwestern State University. "The dedication by these young men to perform successfully both on the field of competition and in the classroom epitomizes the definition of a Division I student-athlete."
Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision institutions are eligible for these prestigious awards. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. He must have reached his second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. He must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.