Thursday, November 10, 2011

Valparaiso University senior offensive lineman Nate Blair (Crete, Ill./Andrean [Ind.] H.S.) has been named to the Capital One Academic All-District V Football Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) to recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.

“I can’t think of a more deserving student-athlete to receive this honor than Nate,” head coach Dale Carlson said.  “He has shown tremendous dedication both in the classroom and on the field throughout his career.  He is the model student-athlete for our football program here at Valparaiso.”

Blair has started all nine games this season at left tackle for the Crusaders, while starting all 31 contests over the past three seasons.  He is a two-time Honorable Mention All-Pioneer Football League selection, anchoring the Valpo offensive line.

In the classroom, Blair has been voted to the Academic All-PFL First Team each of the last two seasons and has also been named to the PFL Fall Academic Honor Roll throughout his career at Valpo.

Blair is an actuarial science major with a 3.84 grade point average.

As a First Team Academic All-District honoree, he is now eligible to be selected for one of the three Capital One Academic All-America Teams later this month.  To be eligible for Academic All-District and Academic All-American honors, student-athletes must hold at least sophomore status, own a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 and be either a starter or key reserve.  District V consists of all Division I schools in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.