Truman State University student-athletes Brian Tillis (swimming) and Eric McCollough (tennis) were named Academic all-Americans by the College Sports Information Directors of America on Wednesday afternoon, marking the 99th and 100th recipients of the award in University history.
Truman now becomes the only NCAA Division II program – and just the 22nd overall – to reach the century mark of the officially-tracked Academic all-American award by all institutions.
The Bulldogs also sit 13th across all four-year schools in AAA selections since 2000 with 57.
Tillis (Peoria, Ill., Peoria Notre Dame), who earned a 4.00 grade-point average in Biology, was named to the CoSIDA/Capital One second-team after earning the 2011-12 Truman Scholar-Athlete award in May.
He scored 35 points for the Bulldog men’s swimming team in the NSISC Championships in February and was named to the NSISC all-academic team.
He added B-cut times in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle but was not awarded a spot at nationals.
In addition, the NCAA announced that Tillis earned its prestigious postgraduate scholarship, becoming the 19th Truman athlete to earn the honor.
The one-time grants for $7,500 each are awarded for fall, winter and spring sports.
Up to 174 are issued annually through the program that was created in 1964 to promote and encourage postgraduate education by rewarding the NCAA’s most accomplished student-athletes.
Athletic and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities and demonstrated leadership are evaluated.
McCollough (St. Charles, Mo., Francis Howell North), who completed his senior season with a 3.94 grade-point average in Biology, was selected to the CoSIDA Academic all-America third-team.
He earned the MIAA Sportsmanship award as Truman’s No. 1 singles player in 2012 and is a four-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
He notched 44 wins during his career on the courts at Truman.
The tandem becomes the first duo to earn CoSIDA Academic all-America accolades from their respective sports since May 2010, when Peter Bracha (tennis) and Andrew McCall (swimming) were both selected.
Courtesy Truman State University
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