BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech defender Craig Burnell was named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District III Second Team, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) committee this weekend. This is the first time that the junior has been recognized for his collegiate accomplishments both on the field and in the classroom. He is one of 10 ACC players to be recognized.

Burnell, an environmental science major from Wells, Maine, has played in all 17 games for Tech this season and has served an important part of Tech’s back line of defense, helping the Hokies’ to shutouts over No. 16 NC State and previously ranked Davidson. Burnell has earned starts in 11 games and has recorded nine shots on the season.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his/her career. A student-athlete is not eligible until he/she has reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution. In the cases of transfers, graduate students and junior college graduates, the athlete must have completed one full academic year at the nominating institution to be eligible. The awards are voted upon by CoSIDA members.

The Hokies (5-10-2, 2-5) will play their final regular season game on Friday, Nov. 6, at Boston College. They will then travel to Cary, N.C., next week to compete at the ACC Championships at WakeMed Soccer Park. Results will be available at www.hokiesports.com.