The Aurora University Spartan football program had one student-athlete named to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine District V Academic All-District Team. To be considered for the honor, the nominated student-athletes are required to maintain a minimum 3.30 cumulative grade point average throughout their academic career at AU.
The lone Spartan named to the 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V College Division Football Team is senior linebacker Mike Budzinski (Minooka, IL/Minooka HS). The team is selected by the district’s sports information directors.
Budzinski, a business administration major, was honored for his academic success as a student-athlete as a First-Team selection. He was a Northern Athletics Conference 2008-2009 Scholar Athlete and is a three-time all-conference player on the football field. In 2008, he was first-team NAC All-Conference, first-team Illini-Badger Football All-Conference as a sophomore and a second-team IBFC All-Conference member as a freshman.
This season, Budzinski has a team- and conference-leading 86 tackles, two and one-half quarterback sack, three fumble recoveries and one interception.
Budzinski moves on to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America ballot and will be among College Division football players across the country eligible for the All-America Teams.
The Spartans are currently 4-4 overall and 2-3 in Northern Athletics Conference play. The Spartans conclude the home portion of the 2009 regular season schedule on Saturday, November 7, 2009, when they host Concordia University Chicago on senior day. Game time is set for noon on Vago Field in Aurora, IL.
The CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District teams are selected by CoSIDA member sports information directors within the district based on the student-athletes’ academic prowess while being a steady influence on their respective athletic field.