Eastern Michigan Athletics
Alex Gillett and Ben Thayer Named Academic All-MAC
1/6/2011 10:29:30 AM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Two EMU student-athletes named to the 29-member team
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University football's Alex Gillett (Green Springs, Ohio- Clyde) and Ben Thayer (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Hackett Catholic Central) were named to the 2010 Academic All-MAC Team by the Mid-American Conference Thursday morning, Jan. 6.
A total of 29 student-athletes were named to the 2010 team.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.
Garnering an academic award for the first-time, Gillett started all 12 games at quarterback, leading the Eagles in rushing, with 179 carries for 766 yards and five touchdowns. He was also completed 127-of-229 passes for 1,633 yards and 13 touchdowns. Gillett ranked seventh in the conference in rushing at 63.8 ypg and finished 70th in the nation in total offense at 199.9 ypg. Named the MAC's West Division Offensive Player of the Week and was also the Rivals.Com MAC Offensive Player of the Week following the Ball State game, Oct. 16, Gillett led the Eagles to an overtime win while completing 10-of-18 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns and rushing 35 times for 189 yards and two scores. He has a 3.72 GPa as a chemistry major.
A two-time Academic All-MAC selection, Thayer led the 2010 Eagles in receiving with 30 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Thayer was a first-team CoSIDA/Capital One All-District IV Academic First Team selection after posting a 3.60 GPA as a math-secondary education major. He was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission for his efforts in EMU's 41-38 win at Ball State, Oct. 16, 2010. In that BSU game he recorded three receptions for 65 yards and a career-high two touchdowns helping his team snap an 18-game losing streak. Thayer's first touchdown reception tied the game at 28-28 in the third quarter and his game-winning touchdown catch ended the game in overtime. He was also named National Tight End of the Week by collegefootballperformance.com for that BSU contest. Thayer has a 3.60 GPa as a math/secondary education major.
Eric Davis (Southgate, Mich.-Anderson), Ryan Downard (Lima, Ohio-Shawnee), Andy Mulumba (Montreal, Quebec, Canada-Vieux Montreal), Javon Reese (Ft. Wayne, Ind.-Southside) and Dominique Sherrer (Cincinnati, Ohio Colerain) each picked up honorable mention honors.
2010 Academic All-MAC
Alex Gillett, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.72 GPA, Chemistry, (Green Springs, Ohio)
@Ben Thayer, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.60 GPA, Math Secondary Education, (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Scott Kovanda, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.95 GPA, Business, (Hartland, Mich.)
@#Ian McGarvey, Ball State, Senior, 3.43 GPA, Psychology, (Greenwood, Ind.)
@Briggs Orsbon, Ball State, Junior, 4.00 GPA, Business, (Convoy, Ohio)
@#Matt Berning, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.80 GPA, Marketing, (Duisburg, Germany)
@Sean Murnane, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.44 GPA, Marketing, (Green Oaks, Ill.)
Mike Petrucci, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.70 GPA, Mathematics, (Milford, Mich.)
Cody Wilson, Central Michigan, Sophomore, 3.91 GPA, Undeclared, (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
@Jacquise Terry, Kent State, Junior, 3.66 GPA, Aeronautics, (Phenix City, Ala.)
Spencer Keith, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.79 GPA, Mathematics (Pre-Med), (Little Rock, Ark.)
Dorian Wood, Kent State, Senior, 3.41 GPA, Biology (Pre-Med), (Austell, Ga.)
Pat Hinkle, Miami, Sophomore, 3.50 GPA, Sports Studies, (Cleveland, Ohio)
@#Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.59 GPA, Business Management, (Bluffton, Ind.)
Nabal Jefferson, Northern Illinois, Sophomore, 3.91 GPA, Business, (Chicago, Ill.)
Mike Krause, Northern Illinois, Senior, 3.43 GPA, Business Management (Grad Student), (Germantown, Wisc.)
Joe Pawlak, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.31 GPA, Sociology/Criminology, (Grayslake, Ill.)
Jason Schepler, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.89 GPA, Electrical Engineering, (Sycamore, Ill.)
Jordan Thompson, Ohio, Sophomore, 3.45 GPA, Engineering, (Rockford, Ohio)
Elisha Joseph, Temple, Senior, 3.37 GPA, Criminal Justice, (Hartford, Conn.)
T.J. Fatinikun, Toledo, Sophomore, 3.41 GPA, Communication, (Weston, Fla.)
Kevin Kowalski, Toledo, Senior, 3.67 GPA, Education, (Macedonia, Ohio)
Dan Molls, Toledo, Sophomore, 3.57 GPA, Exercise Science, (North Royalton, Ohio)
Mike VanDerMeulen, Toledo, Junior, 3.32 GPA, Human Resource Management, (Marshall, Mich.)
@Ben Armer, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.68 GPA, Exercise Science, (Janesville, Wis.)
Alex Carder, Western Michigan, Sophomore, 3.22 GPA, Communication, (Shawnee, Kan.)
@John Potter, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.97 GPA, Business, (Grand Haven, Mich.)
@#*Phil Swanson, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.85 GPA, Journalism (Master's of Communication), (Grand Haven, Mich.)
Mitch Zajac, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.81 GPA, Mechanical Engineering, (Holt, Mich.)
@2009 Academic All-MAC selection
#2008 Academic All-MAC selection
*2007 Academic All-MAC selection
Honorable Mention
Eric Davis, Eastern Michigan
Ryan Downard, Eastern Michigan
Andy Mulumba, Eastern Michigan
Javon Reese, Eastern Michigan
Dominique Sherrer, Eastern Michigan
Troy Gilmer, Akron
Tony Martin, Ball State
Aaron Mershman, Ball State
Andrew Puthoff, Ball State
Zack Akenberger, Bowling Green
Ben Bojicic, Bowling Green
Peter Fardon, Buffalo
Alex Neutz, Buffalo
Josh Violanti, Buffalo
Brian Bennyhoff, Central Michigan
Jordan McConnell, Central Michigan
Ryan Radcliff, Central Michigan
Mike Repovz, Central Michigan
A.J. Westendorp, Central Michigan
Kyle Zelinsky, Central Michigan
Michael Fay, Kent State
Jake Dooley, Kent State
Brad Bednar, Miami
Jordan Gafford, Miami
Jason Semmes, Miami
Alan Baxter, Northern Illinois
Issa Braithwaite, Ohio
Keenan Chapman, Ohio
Kevin Culver, Ohio
Vaughn Charlton, Temple
Martin Wallace, Temple
Stephen Yuan, Temple
Zac Kerin, Toledo
Colin McHugh, Toledo
Malcolm Riley, Toledo
Mark Singer, Toledo
Christian Smith, Toledo
Jared Strait, Toledo
Nick Clemens, Western Michigan
A total of 29 student-athletes were named to the 2010 team.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.
Garnering an academic award for the first-time, Gillett started all 12 games at quarterback, leading the Eagles in rushing, with 179 carries for 766 yards and five touchdowns. He was also completed 127-of-229 passes for 1,633 yards and 13 touchdowns. Gillett ranked seventh in the conference in rushing at 63.8 ypg and finished 70th in the nation in total offense at 199.9 ypg. Named the MAC's West Division Offensive Player of the Week and was also the Rivals.Com MAC Offensive Player of the Week following the Ball State game, Oct. 16, Gillett led the Eagles to an overtime win while completing 10-of-18 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns and rushing 35 times for 189 yards and two scores. He has a 3.72 GPa as a chemistry major.
A two-time Academic All-MAC selection, Thayer led the 2010 Eagles in receiving with 30 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Thayer was a first-team CoSIDA/Capital One All-District IV Academic First Team selection after posting a 3.60 GPA as a math-secondary education major. He was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission for his efforts in EMU's 41-38 win at Ball State, Oct. 16, 2010. In that BSU game he recorded three receptions for 65 yards and a career-high two touchdowns helping his team snap an 18-game losing streak. Thayer's first touchdown reception tied the game at 28-28 in the third quarter and his game-winning touchdown catch ended the game in overtime. He was also named National Tight End of the Week by collegefootballperformance.com for that BSU contest. Thayer has a 3.60 GPa as a math/secondary education major.
Eric Davis (Southgate, Mich.-Anderson), Ryan Downard (Lima, Ohio-Shawnee), Andy Mulumba (Montreal, Quebec, Canada-Vieux Montreal), Javon Reese (Ft. Wayne, Ind.-Southside) and Dominique Sherrer (Cincinnati, Ohio Colerain) each picked up honorable mention honors.
2010 Academic All-MAC
Alex Gillett, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.72 GPA, Chemistry, (Green Springs, Ohio)
@Ben Thayer, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.60 GPA, Math Secondary Education, (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Scott Kovanda, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.95 GPA, Business, (Hartland, Mich.)
@#Ian McGarvey, Ball State, Senior, 3.43 GPA, Psychology, (Greenwood, Ind.)
@Briggs Orsbon, Ball State, Junior, 4.00 GPA, Business, (Convoy, Ohio)
@#Matt Berning, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.80 GPA, Marketing, (Duisburg, Germany)
@Sean Murnane, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.44 GPA, Marketing, (Green Oaks, Ill.)
Mike Petrucci, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.70 GPA, Mathematics, (Milford, Mich.)
Cody Wilson, Central Michigan, Sophomore, 3.91 GPA, Undeclared, (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
@Jacquise Terry, Kent State, Junior, 3.66 GPA, Aeronautics, (Phenix City, Ala.)
Spencer Keith, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.79 GPA, Mathematics (Pre-Med), (Little Rock, Ark.)
Dorian Wood, Kent State, Senior, 3.41 GPA, Biology (Pre-Med), (Austell, Ga.)
Pat Hinkle, Miami, Sophomore, 3.50 GPA, Sports Studies, (Cleveland, Ohio)
@#Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.59 GPA, Business Management, (Bluffton, Ind.)
Nabal Jefferson, Northern Illinois, Sophomore, 3.91 GPA, Business, (Chicago, Ill.)
Mike Krause, Northern Illinois, Senior, 3.43 GPA, Business Management (Grad Student), (Germantown, Wisc.)
Joe Pawlak, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.31 GPA, Sociology/Criminology, (Grayslake, Ill.)
Jason Schepler, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.89 GPA, Electrical Engineering, (Sycamore, Ill.)
Jordan Thompson, Ohio, Sophomore, 3.45 GPA, Engineering, (Rockford, Ohio)
Elisha Joseph, Temple, Senior, 3.37 GPA, Criminal Justice, (Hartford, Conn.)
T.J. Fatinikun, Toledo, Sophomore, 3.41 GPA, Communication, (Weston, Fla.)
Kevin Kowalski, Toledo, Senior, 3.67 GPA, Education, (Macedonia, Ohio)
Dan Molls, Toledo, Sophomore, 3.57 GPA, Exercise Science, (North Royalton, Ohio)
Mike VanDerMeulen, Toledo, Junior, 3.32 GPA, Human Resource Management, (Marshall, Mich.)
@Ben Armer, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.68 GPA, Exercise Science, (Janesville, Wis.)
Alex Carder, Western Michigan, Sophomore, 3.22 GPA, Communication, (Shawnee, Kan.)
@John Potter, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.97 GPA, Business, (Grand Haven, Mich.)
@#*Phil Swanson, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.85 GPA, Journalism (Master's of Communication), (Grand Haven, Mich.)
Mitch Zajac, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.81 GPA, Mechanical Engineering, (Holt, Mich.)
@2009 Academic All-MAC selection
#2008 Academic All-MAC selection
*2007 Academic All-MAC selection
Honorable Mention
Eric Davis, Eastern Michigan
Ryan Downard, Eastern Michigan
Andy Mulumba, Eastern Michigan
Javon Reese, Eastern Michigan
Dominique Sherrer, Eastern Michigan
Troy Gilmer, Akron
Tony Martin, Ball State
Aaron Mershman, Ball State
Andrew Puthoff, Ball State
Zack Akenberger, Bowling Green
Ben Bojicic, Bowling Green
Peter Fardon, Buffalo
Alex Neutz, Buffalo
Josh Violanti, Buffalo
Brian Bennyhoff, Central Michigan
Jordan McConnell, Central Michigan
Ryan Radcliff, Central Michigan
Mike Repovz, Central Michigan
A.J. Westendorp, Central Michigan
Kyle Zelinsky, Central Michigan
Michael Fay, Kent State
Jake Dooley, Kent State
Brad Bednar, Miami
Jordan Gafford, Miami
Jason Semmes, Miami
Alan Baxter, Northern Illinois
Issa Braithwaite, Ohio
Keenan Chapman, Ohio
Kevin Culver, Ohio
Vaughn Charlton, Temple
Martin Wallace, Temple
Stephen Yuan, Temple
Zac Kerin, Toledo
Colin McHugh, Toledo
Malcolm Riley, Toledo
Mark Singer, Toledo
Christian Smith, Toledo
Jared Strait, Toledo
Nick Clemens, Western Michigan
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