Wittenberg Football Standout Andy Vanover
Earns Academic Award

Andy Vanover celebrates one of his three touchdowns against Earlham in a 2006 game.

Springfield, Ohio — Wittenberg football standout Andy Vanover, class of 2008 from Tipp City, Ohio, has been recognized for his special combination of athletic and academic accomplishments with CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District IV honors.

Vanover was named second-team all-district in 2006, but he earned a promotion this year to the first team. In his third year as the Tigers' starting fullback, Vanover has posted two 100-yard rushing games and a 100-yard receiving performance. Ranked third in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) in touchdowns per game, Vanover has a team-high nine scores this season. The Tigers' leading rusher on the season, Vanover also ranks fifth in the conference for overall scoring.

Vanover, a management major, carries an excellent grade point average of 3.74. After two years spent clearing the way for former All-American tailback Tristan Murray, the No. 2 rusher in school history, Vanover has emerged as a dual-threat skill position player out of the backfield. After accumulating 475 yards of total offense a year ago, Vanover has 109 rushing attempts and 18 receptions in 2007, good for 670 yards of total offense, second-most on the team.

Wittenberg heads into the final game of the 2007 regular season with a 7-2 overall record, including a mark of 5-1 in the NCAC, good for sole possession of second place. Vanover is one of 13 seniors to be honored prior to Saturday's finale against Hiram College. Kick time is 1 p.m. at Wittenberg's Edwards-Maurer Field.

Vanover will now be considered for Academic All-America honors in voting that takes place later this month.