FULL ACADEMIC ALL-STAR TEAM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The winners of the 11th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team were announced by the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) on Friday and Northern Colorado senior linebacker Cristian Sarmento was named to the squad.

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 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.

Sarmento, who ranked in the top five in the FCS in total tackles with 142 and was a Big Sky All-Conference First-Team selection, has a 3.46 grade point average in sport and exercise science and is working on becoming a physical education teacher. He is the only three-year player to rank on the Big Sky charts in total tackles as the Bears were not a member of the league in his freshman season, ending his stellar career with 376 stops and 15 career sacks.