Redshirt senior defensive back Zach Shipley of the Murray State football team has been named as an Academic All District selection by the College Sports Information Directors of America, the organization announced Wednesday. Head coach Mitch Stewart has now had at least one CoSIDA Academic All-District selection in each of his three years at the helm of the Racers.
Shipley, a health and physical education major, is currently in his first semester of graduate school after finishing his undergraduate work last May with 3.97 GPA. The Shelbyville, Kentucky native has been an integral member of the Racer squad for five seasons and this year is serving on the team’s G.U.T.S. group, the captains of this year’s squad.
On the field, Shipley has recorded 36 tackles this season to go along with 0.5 tackles-for-loss and two pass breakups. Against Louisville, the redshirt senior tied his career-high with six tackles and in the Racers’ win over UT Martin he notched the first fumble recovery of his career.
Shipley must now wait until Dec. 14 to find out if he will be named to one of the three prestigious CoSIDA Academic All-American teams. Meanwhile, he and the rest of the Racers will close out their 2017 season Saturday at Southeast Missouri at 1 p.m. in Cape Girardeau.
by Parker Griffith
