Three Butler Players Named Academic All-District

Butler defensive standouts Grant Hunter, Mark Giacomantonio and Spencer Summerville have been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V University Division Football Team, chosen by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America).  The three were among 24 student-athletes named first team on the Academic All-District squad, which represents Division I schools from Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario and Manitoba.

Hunter, a junior secondary education major from Liberty Township, Ohio, has been one of the top defensive performers in the Pioneer Football League.  A first team All-League pick a year ago, he leads the PFL and ranks sixth in the NCAA Division I FCS in quarterback sacks (1.07).  He’s tied for fifth in the league in tackles for loss.  He’s currently tied for fifth on the team in tackles, and he leads the Bulldogs in both quarterback sacks and tackles for loss.  Hunter boasts a 3.62 grade point average.

Giacomantonio, a sophomore economics major from Carmel, Ind., would currently rank among the national leaders in pass interceptions with five, but he hasn’t played in enough games to qualify for the statistical rankings.  The Butler defender has missed three games with injury.  His five pass thefts equals the PFL-high total.  Giacomantonio, who has a 3.62 grade point average, is tied for eighth on the team in total tackles. 

Summerville, a senior defensive back from Indianapolis, is a secondary education major with a 3.50 grade point average.  He’s a repeat pick on the Academic All-District V Team.  Summerville leads Butler in total tackles (54) and in solo tackles (30).  He was a first team Academic All-PFL player and an honorable mention All-PFL performer a year ago. 

The 24 players named to the All-District V first 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 in November.