University of Albany FCS Football's Sparano, Simpson & Woods Chosen to ESPN The Magazine District I All-Academic Football Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Washington, D.C. - University at Albany's Tony Sparano leads a group of three student-athletes who have been chosen to the ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America Football Team, as voted by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Sparano was selected for the second straight year, while Chris Simpson and Bobby Woods made their first appearance on the all-academic squad. Each athlete moves on to the University Division national ballot and that team will be announced on Nov. 24.

Sparano, a senior defensive end from Colleyville, Texas, has a 3.40 cumulative grade point average in history with a minor in political science. He earned his B.A. last May and is enrolled in UAlbany's graduate school. In nine starting assignments this season, Sparano has 23 tackles and two fumble recoveries. He had a career-high seven tackles against nationally-ranked Massachusetts in September. Sparano, the son of the Miami Dolphins' head coach, has twice been named to the Northeast Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll.

Simpson, a senior inside linebacker from Victor, N.Y., has a 3.97 GPA in physics. He is enrolled in the school's 3+2 engineering program and will also earn an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in May 2010. Simpson was a member of the 2008 FCS Athletic Directors' Academic All-Star Team. Simpson is fourth on the UAlbany squad in tackles with 51 and has two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He had a career-best 11 tackles in his team's upset of No. 20 Maine this year.

Woods, a junior punter from Sayreville, N.J., owns a 3.58 GPA in accounting with a minor in business administration. He is averaging 35.7 yards per punt with five 50-plus kicks, five touchbacks and seven punts inside the 20-yard line. He booted a 77-yarder in the season opener at Georgia Southern, the second longest in school history. Woods came to the UAlbany program after Iona College dropped the sport of football.

UAlbany (6-3, NEC 5-1) is currently in second place in the conference standings. The Great Danes meet league-rival Robert Morris on Saturday in their final home game of the season.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information