PROVO -- Normally known for their brawn, BYU student-athletes were recognized this week for their academic success as a total of 89 Cougars were named to the Fall 2006 Academic All-Mountain West Conference team.
"Our student-athletes had a very successful fall semester," said BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe. "We are very pleased with their achievements on the playing field and in the classroom. Both endeavors are equally important to us at BYU and demonstrate the quality of our student-athletes."
BYU overpowered the other MWC schools with more than double the student-athletes named to the team, followed by Wyoming (43), New Mexico (40), UNLV (36), Utah (36) and TCU (36), Air Force (32), San Diego State (27) and Colorado State (24).
The BYU football team had the most players appear on the Academic list with 34 students. Women's cross country had 20 athletes appear on the Academic team. Women's soccer followed closely behind with 15 athletes while both men's cross country and women's volleyball each placed 10 athletes on the team.
MWC Offensive Player of the Year John Beck made an appearance on the team alongside other noted Cougars, including All-American volleyball player Chelsea Goodman and men's cross country National Champion Josh Rohantinsky.
To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have completed at least one academic term at the member institution while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and be a starter or significant contributor on their athletic team.