University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

UW-Whitewater senior linebacker Derek Underwood has earned Academic All-District College Division Second Team recognition.  The team is selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America and sponsored by ESPN The Magazine. 

Underwood, a physical education major with a health emphasis, has a 3.88 (out of 4.0) cumulative grade point average.  

The CoSIDA/ESPN team recognizes the combination of excellence in the classroom and participation in intercollegiate athletics.  Schools nominates player who meet minimum academic and competitive standards, and the players receiving the most votes on a national ballot are honored.  Members of each of six district first teams are placed on a national ballot for Academic All-America honors.

UW-Whitewater is in District Five, which includes Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota.  The CoSIDA College Division includes players at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II and III schools, as well as National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools.

Underwood has been a versatile performer for the Warhawks, playing a role in three consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, and three appearances in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the Division III championship game.  He played running back for two years, switched to defensive back last year, and moved to linebacker for 2009.

UW-W, 8-0, is ranked second in both national polls of Division III teams.

For additional information:  Lance Leipold, UW-W head football coach