RELEASE DATE: 12/01/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DAN HOLLAND EARNS NATIONAL SECOND TEAM ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA HONORS – JUST SECOND FOOTBALL PLAYER IN SCHOOL HISTORY TO EARN NATIONS TOP ACADEMIC HONOR

MANSFIELD – By now, it’s a well established fact that Dan Holland (Scranton/Bishop O’Hara) is one of the very best football players in the nation. Today he was recognized as one of the very best academic football players in the nation.

Holland was named to 2003 CoSIDA Academic All-America College Division honors in voting among members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

“Dan Holland never ceases to amaze me,” said head coach Chris Woods. “He just does everything right. From defense schemes to academics, to the way he leads his life, Dan Holland is an All-American.”

Considered the top academic achievement for any collegiate student-athlete, the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team has been called the Verizon and GTE Academic All-America Team in past years.

The College Division is made up of more than 500 small college teams across the nation, including all NCAA Division II and III programs as well as NAIA teams. It is consider the toughest Academic All-American Team in the country to make. 

To be nominated to CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or better and be a key player. Holland has maintained a better than 3.40 GPA in special education.

John Delate is the only other Mountaineer football player named to the team, earning the honor in 1983.

Holland , who is a finalist for the 2003 Harlon Hill Award for the top football player in NCAA Division II, was a consensus All-American last season and was named the NCAA Division II Linebacker of the Year.

The senior ended his collegiate career with a school record 501 tackles, including 315 solo. He also recorded 54 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, 15 pass breakups and blocked six kicks.

This season Holland led the PSAC in tackles with136 and in solo tackles with 81. He was named the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year and earned his fourth straight First Team All-PSAC East selection.

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