Matt Howard, Gordon Hayward Named Academic All-District

Butler men’s basketball players Matt Howard and Gordon Hayward have been named to the 2009-10 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V University Division Men’s Basketball Team, chosen by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America).  It was the second straight year that Howard has been selected, while Hayward made the honor squad for the first time. 

The two Butler players were among five athletes honored from District V, which includes Division I schools from Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario and Manitoba.  Also named to the District V first team were E’Twaun Moore of Purdue, Tim Abromaitis of Notre Dame and David Nurse of Western Illinois.

Howard, an honor student majoring in finance, was a second team Academic All-American a year ago.  He led the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding in 2008-09 and was named the 2009 Horizon League Player of the Year.  The Connersville, Ind., native currently stands second on the team in rebounding (5.2) and third in scoring (11.1).

Hayward, an honor student majoring in computer engineering, was the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year in 2008-09.  He currently leads the Bulldogs in both scoring (16.1) and rebounding (7.8).  The 6-9 guard from Brownsburg, Ind., was recently named to the five-player Midseason Mid-Major All-America Team by The Sporting News.

Howard and Hayward have helped lead Butler to an 18-4 record, an 11-0 mark in the Horizon League and a current 10-game winning streak.  The Bulldogs are ranked #23 in the Associated Press national poll and #15 in the ESPN/USA Today national poll.

The five players named to the All-District V team will be considered, along with All-Academic picks from seven other districts, for selection to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team, which will be released later this month.