Murray State defensive back Zach Shipley was one of 49 winners of the 20th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team, the organization announced Friday. Shipley was also just one of four OVC student-athletes to earn the award this season.
Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision institutions are eligible for these prestigious awards. Each of the nominees were 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 key player with legitimate athletics credentials. He must have reached his second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. He must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.
The academic honor is the third for Shipley as he was named as a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection in November and became the 19th Murray State student-athlete to earn CoSIDA Academic All-American honors in December.
Shipley, a health and physical education major from Shelbyville, Kentucky, is in his first semester of graduate school after graduating last May with a 3.97 GPA. He capped his final season in blue and gold with 37 total tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss. In addition, he had two pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery. He also helped lead the Racers off the field by serving as a captain through its G.U.T.S. team.
Parker Griffith
Athletic Media Relations Assistant (FB, Rifle, SB)
Murray State University
