Stoll one of eight finalists for scholarship

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Former Sandpoint and University of Montana football standout Erik Stoll has landed yet another prestigious academic honor, one of 52 student-athletes named to the 13th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team.

Not only did he make the team, but Stoll was also selected as one of eight finalists for the 10th Annual FCS $5,000 postgraduate scholarship, another honor in a college career full of them.

A senior starter at strong safety, Stoll is a biology major and carries a 3.92 G.P.A. He was named first team All-Big Sky Conference and was the Grizzlies’ third-leading tackler with 82 stops, while helping Montana post a 7-4 record. Stoll led the Griz with five interceptions this season, which ranked him 23rd (tie) in the FCS with .45 a game.

Following the 2010 season he was awarded the Tony Barbour Award, given to the player “who best exemplifies outstanding practice habits and makes an unselfish contribution to the betterment of the Grizzly football team.” During his career he played in 42 consecutive games and started in the last 26 in a row, and has hopes of possibly playing in the NFL.

“The FCS ADA looks forward to honoring the accomplishments of its football student-athletes each year with the announcement of the Academic All-Star Team,” said FCS ADA President Greg Burke, chair of the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team Selection Committee and athletics director at Northwestern State University. “The dedication by these young men to perform successfully both on the field of competition and in the classroom epitomizes the definition of a Division I student-athlete.”

Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision institutions are eligible for these prestigious awards. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. He must have reached his second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. He must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.

The eight finalists are seniors Chance Coda, Southern Illinois, defensive line, 4.0; Kyle Glazier, Western Illinois, linebacker, 3.88; Tim McGraw, Northern Colorado, offensive line, 4.0; Travis Nissley, Bucknell, linebacker, 3.96; Dave Pickard, Southern Illinois, offensive line, 4.0; Tanner Scott, Dartmouth, wide receiver, 3.83; Stoll; and Brandon Wingeier, Dayton, defensive line, 3.78.