Dec. 2, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Junior running back Jason Wright (Diamond Bar, Calif./Diamond Bar) was named a Verizon first-team Academic All-American today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Wright was one of two running backs named to the University Division (NCAA Division I-A and I-AA) first team.
Wright, who carries a 3.25 cumulative grade point average in psychology (pre-medicine), is Northwestern's first football Academic All-America honoree since 1995, when a pair of Wildcats, Ryan Padgett and Sam Valenzisi, earned similar recognition.
To be nominated for the award, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his career. No athlete is eligible until he has reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his institution.
"This is a well-deserved honor for Jason," said Northwestern head coach Randy Walker. "He has excelled at the highest level, both academically and athletically. It's rewarding to see a tremendous young man like Jason honored with such a fitting award."
Named the team's Most Valuable Player last week, Wright led Northwestern in several statistical categories, including: rushing (1,234 yards), rushing average (5.8 ypc), scoring (78 points), all-purpose yards (2,013 yards) and kickoff return average (28.5 ypr). Nationally, he ranks fourth in all-purpose yardage, fifth in kickoff return average and 31st in rushing.
In the Big Ten's overall statistics, Wright led the league in kickoff return average, ranked second in all-purpose yardage and seventh in rushing average. His statistics were even better in conference-only play, ranking second in rushing TDs, third in yards per carry average and fifth in rushing average. Wright had just one fumble in 219 carries, and none in his last 10 games, which included all eight Big Ten contests.
His single-season rushing total (1,234) was the sixth-best in school history and his all-purpose yardage (2,013) was the third best.