Eastern Michigan Athletics

MBB Academic All-MAC 2022

Ballard, Jihad, Spottsville Named To Academic All-MAC Team

4/20/2022 10:36:00 AM | Men's Basketball

A total of 23 student-athletes were named to this year’s squad

CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Mid-American Conference announced Wednesday, April 20, the league's 2021-22 Academic All-MAC team for men's basketball. Of those named, Eastern Michigan saw three student-athletes recognized on the list. Derek Ballard Jr. (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield-Lathrup), Yusuf Jihad (Farmington Hills, Mich.-North Farmington-Oakland), and Darion Spottsville (Phoenix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain-South Mountain C.C.) were each honors.

Ballard collected the award for the second consecutive year, while Spottsville and Jihad both garnered it for the first time.

In total, 23 student-athletes were named to this year's squad.

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.

2021-22 MAC Men's Basketball Academic All-MAC Team
Luke Bumbalough, Ball State, So., Finance, 3.28 GPA
Blake Huggins, Ball State, R-Jr., History/Minor in Coaching, 3.22 GPA
Trey Diggs, Bowling Green, Sr., Master of Business Administration, 3.823 GPA
Isaac Elsasser, Bowling Green, Jr., College Credit Plus Program, 3.896 GPA
Brenton Mills, Bowling Green, So., Finance, 3.333 GPA
Tra'von Fagan, Buffalo, Grad., Education Studies, 3.800 GPA
Brock Bertram, Buffalo, Grad., Education Studies, 3.734 GPA
David Skogman, Buffalo, So., Accounting, 3.552 GPA
Caleb Hodgson, Central Michigan, So., Health & Physical Fitness, 3.36 GPA
Dylan Jergens, Central Michigan, So., Sports Management, 3.91 GPA
Derek Ballard Jr., Eastern Michigan, R-Jr., Sport Management, 3.61 GPA
Darion Spottsville, Eastern Michigan, Sr., Sport Management, 3.23 GPA
Yusuf Jihad, Eastern Michigan, R-Fr., Exercise Science, 3.33 GPA

Precious Ayah, Miami, Grad., Sports Leadership & Management, 3.30 GPA
Isaiah Coleman-Lands, Miami, Grad., Sports Leadership & Management, 3.50 GPA
Kaleb Thornton, Northern Illinois, Jr., Business Administration, 3.34 GPA
Jason Carter, Ohio, Grad., MS Management, 3.945 GPA
Ben Roderick, Ohio, Jr., Sport Management, 3.611 GPA
Tommy Schmock, Ohio, Grad., Coaching Education, 3.734 GPA
Ben Vander Plas, Ohio, R-Sr, MS Management, 3.964 GPA
JT Shumate, Toledo, Jr., Middle Childhood Education, 3.851 GPA
RayJ Dennis, Toledo, Jr., University Studies, 3.350 GPA
Danny Kolp, Western Michigan, Jr., Entrepreneurship, 3.50 GPA
2025-26 Field of 68 Men's Basketball Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles
Tuesday, October 21
Men's Basketball Alumni Game All Call
Tuesday, October 21
2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Cinematic Recap
Saturday, October 11