  |
Schachtner, Tillema, Groh Named Division I-AAA Scholar-Athletes
April 11, 2008
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay continued its long-standing tradition of academic and athletic excellence, as three members of its basketball teams, men's basketball players Mike Schachtner and Ryan Tillema, along with women's basketball player Kayla Groh, were named to the Division I-AAA Athletic Directors Association Scholar-Athlete Teams. In addition to having more overall selections than any other school, Green Bay was the only institution with more than one men's player represented. Schachtner, a 6-foot-9 junior, was named to the scholar-athlete team for the second straight year. The native of Somerset, Wis., is also a two-time Academic All-America selection, which included second-team honors in 2007-08. This year, he ranked third in the Horizon League in scoring (15.8 points per game), first in free throw percentage (.904), fifth in 3-point percentage (.457) and 10th in field goal percentage (.487). Following the season, he was named second-team all-league for the second straight campaign. A psychology major, Schachtner owns a 3.81 grade-point average. Tillema, a 6-foot-8 junior guard from Randolph, Wis., earned the recognition for the first time. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2007-08, as he averaged 12.5 points per game to rank 15th in the league. He also ranked fourth in the Horizon League in free throw percentage (.822), seventh in field goal percentage (.513), seventh in 3-point percentage (.445) and ninth in 3-pointers made per game (1.77). Tillema was named Horizon League Scholar-Athlete of the Month in January and was the league's Player of the Week on Dec. 24 after the first of two 30-point games. He carries a 3.39 GPA in business administration. "This recognition is a great honor for both Mike and Ryan," head men's basketball coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "Our program is based on academic excellence first and foremost and this is a great example of that. I'm very proud of what our program stands for and the way our student-athletes represent the university in such a positive manner." Groh also gathered her first honor from the Division I-AAA Athletic Directors Association. The native of Elkhart Lake, Wis., is a two-time academic all-district and academic all-league honoree. Groh also was a second-team All-Horizon League choice in 2007-08 after leading the regular-season conference champions in scoring (13.9). The guard also finished among the league's top 10 in all three shooting categories, including first in free throw percentage (.856), as well as in assists, assist/turnover ratio and minutes played. The 5-foot-7 senior guard has a 3.69 GPA in business administration. "For years, the Green Bay women's basketball team has stood for excellence on the court and in the classroom," head women's coach Matt Bollant said. "Kayla Groh continued that tradition this year with an outstanding senior year in both regards. It is a great honor for Kayla and for our program, which strives to do things the right way." Basketball players from all Division I-AAA ADA member institutions were eligible for the honor. Each of the nominees was required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletics credentials. The individual must have reached sophomore athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. The student-athlete must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his/her designated position. Now in its seventh year, the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance initiatives common to its Division I-AAA membership (those Division I institutions that do not sponsor football), in particular, aspects related to their flagship basketball program. This marks the sixth year the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) has released a Scholar-Athlete Team. Men's Basketball Division I-AAA Scholar-Athlete Team Women's Basketball Division I-AAA Scholar-Athlete Team |
