Ippel, raymond named espn the magazine academic all-americans, named jostens trophy finalists

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Lindsay Ippel of Millikin and Kent Raymond of Wheaton were named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Tuesday.

In addition, Ippel was named Academic All-American of the Year in CoSIDA's College Division.

Ippel, a member of the Millikin women's basketball team, was named to the first team of the College Division and is a senior nursing major with a 3.54 grade point average.

Raymond, a member of the Wheaton men's basketball team and native of New Palestine, Ind., was named to the second team of the College Division and is a junior communication major with a 3.68 GPA.

To be eligible for this recognition, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports.

In addition to be named Academic All-Americans, Ippel and Raymond were also named finalists for the prestigious Jostens Trophy announced Tuesday by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va.

The list will be forwarded to the 32-person national selection committee, which will complete the selection process by picking the two Jostens Trophy winners.

The Jostens Trophy honors the most outstanding men’s and women’s Division III basketball players of the year, considering basketball ability, academic prowess and community service. This year’s class marks the 11th year the award has been presented. The 2007 winners were Ryan Cain of Worcester Tech and Lisa Winkle of Calvin.