By JOE DODD
The Texas High School Coaches Association recently released their 2006 Academic All-State Football Team and four members of the Gilmer Buckeyes were selected to the elite team. Evin Wilson was named to the first team, while Jud Murry and Adam Turner were named to the second team. Dakota Bickerdike earned honorable mention honors.
The teams are selected by a point system that awards points for GPA, class rank and SAT or ACT score. The student/athletes are then placed on teams according to the number of points they have earned. Criteria required to be nominated is an overall GPA of 92 or above, including grades 9-12 and the first six weeks of grade 12. Be a member of the team in good standing at the time of nomination, and be of good moral character.
Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor praised the selection of four of his senior players. “Those kids really typify what athletics are supposed to be about,” said Traylor.
Turner credits Traylor and his staff for prioritizing academics. “The coaches put a lot of emphasis on academics, because they realize that not everyone is going to be gifted enough to go to college and play football,” Turner said. “They really emphasize the importance of good grades, and how that’s going to carry us farther in life than football will. They really encourage us and check up on us to see how we are doing.”
Wilson is grateful for the recognition. “It means a pretty good deal to me because we go to the classroom every day and we do well even though we still have practice after school.” Murry agrees, “It’s nice to know that I have something to show for it.”
Bickerdike said that the award disproves the stereotype of the “dumb jock.” “It shows that not only can we play football, but that we can be successful in the classroom.”
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
EVIN WILSON of the Buckeyes was named to the THSCA Academic All-State first team.
The Texas High School Coaches Association recently released their 2006 Academic All-State Football Team and four members of the Gilmer Buckeyes were selected to the elite team. Evin Wilson was named to the first team, while Jud Murry and Adam Turner were named to the second team. Dakota Bickerdike earned honorable mention honors.
The teams are selected by a point system that awards points for GPA, class rank and SAT or ACT score. The student/athletes are then placed on teams according to the number of points they have earned. Criteria required to be nominated is an overall GPA of 92 or above, including grades 9-12 and the first six weeks of grade 12. Be a member of the team in good standing at the time of nomination, and be of good moral character.
Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor praised the selection of four of his senior players. “Those kids really typify what athletics are supposed to be about,” said Traylor.
Turner credits Traylor and his staff for prioritizing academics. “The coaches put a lot of emphasis on academics, because they realize that not everyone is going to be gifted enough to go to college and play football,” Turner said. “They really emphasize the importance of good grades, and how that’s going to carry us farther in life than football will. They really encourage us and check up on us to see how we are doing.”
Wilson is grateful for the recognition. “It means a pretty good deal to me because we go to the classroom every day and we do well even though we still have practice after school.” Murry agrees, “It’s nice to know that I have something to show for it.”
Bickerdike said that the award disproves the stereotype of the “dumb jock.” “It shows that not only can we play football, but that we can be successful in the classroom.”
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
EVIN WILSON of the Buckeyes was named to the THSCA Academic All-State first team.
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