University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia's Gordon Beckham Named Academic All-American
May 27, 2008 | Baseball
ATHENS, Ga. --- University of Georgia junior shortstop Gordon Beckham has been named a 2008 ESPN The Magazine second team Academic All-American, it was announced Tuesday. Voting is conducted by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Along with being an Academic All-American as a real estate major, Beckham is a National Player of the Year candidate. A 6-0, 185-pound native of Atlanta, he was a unanimous pick for SEC Player of the Year by the league coaches last week and was named the SEC baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He ranks among the national leaders in several offensive categories. He is batting .394 with 23 home runs, 78 runs scored, 57 RBI while fielding .961 in 255 total chances.
“Gordon is a fine example of an elite Bulldog student-athlete, earning Academic All-America honors for his outstanding performance in the classroom and as our All-American starting shortstop the past three years,” said Georgia coach David Perno. “We’re proud of what he’s accomplished.”
Beckham is on several national award watch lists including a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Trophy. Baseball America projects Beckham as a first round selection in next month's amateur draft.
To be eligible for the Academic All-America team, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.2 grade point average, be a starter or key reserve, and be at least a sophomore in class standing. There are eight district teams from around the country selected first and then a second round of voting is conducted for the national winners. Beckham made the 11-member national second team, which features two pitchers, four infielders, three outfielders and a catcher and designated hitter. The first team infielders had grade point averages ranging from 3.7 to 4.0 while the second team was between 3.2 and 4.0. Beckham is the sixth baseball Academic All-American in school history, joining Bob Cannon, Mike Harrelson, Jeff Pyburn, Rick Fuentes and Lance Shannon.
The eight-ranked Bulldogs are the national number eight seed in the NCAA Tournament. They are playing host to an NCAA Regional beginning Friday at Foley Field. Georgia will face the Lipscomb Bisons at 3 p.m.
