Zack Helm	Ryan Decker

Helm, a senior designated hitter from Centerville, Ohio, was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® First Team as he became only the third baseball player in school history to receive this honor and only the sixth MVNU student-athlete overall to be named to an CoSIDA Academic All-America® First Team. The former Dayton Christian High School star batted .395 this season with 11 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 48 RBI, and 49 runs scored. In the classroom, Helm posted a 3.93 grade point average in Communication Studies.

Decker, a senior right-handed pitcher from Dover, Pennsylvania, was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® Second Team as only two pitchers were named to each team. It also marks the first time in school history that MVNU has had two teammates named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Teams in the same year. The former Dover High School standout posted a 7-3 record on the mound with a 3.68 ERA as he struck out 49 batters in 73.1 innings of work. Decker posted a 3.98 grade point average in his History and Criminal Justice double major.

The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® College Division Teams are selected by CoSIDA members. Eligible student-athletes are nominated by their school’s sports information director and must have at least a 3.20 grade point average and be at least in their sophomore year. Each of the eight CoSIDA districts selects an All-District First Team, which is then forwarded on for consideration at the national level.  The College Division is made up of all NCAA Division II, III, and NAIA schools.

Helm joins Jeff Kuder (1988) and Brad Nelson (1997) as the only three MVNU baseball players to be named to a CoSIDA Academic All-America® First Team. Andy Heimbach (1999) and Jeff Wine (2001) were the other Cougar baseball players to be honored previously as CoSIDA Academic All-America® Second Team selections.