Ball State University Athletics
Junior OL Vinnie Palazeti
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Thirteen Ball State Student-Athletes Honored on Academic All-MAC Football Team
December 13, 2016 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Mid-American Conference announced its 2016 Academic All-MAC football team Tuesday morning and 13 Ball State student-athletes made the prestigious list, including a trio of three-time honorees – Sam Brunner, Drake Miller and Vinnie Palazeti.
Brunner is slated to complete his bachelor's degree this semester. The native of Washington, Michigan, earned 22 starts at tight end over the last three years for the Cardinals. He finished his senior campaign with eight catches for 80 yards and a touchdown in the win over Florida Atlantic on Sept. 24. Brunner is majoring in social studies, teaching and carries a 3.436 grade-point average.
Miller, a senior offensive lineman from Sturgis, Michigan, recently took home the Ball State football team's Gene Booker Academic Award as well. He finished his career with 32 consecutive starts in the trenches. The health and physical education major currently carries a 3.532 GPA.
Palazeti is a junior offensive lineman from Owosso, Michigan. He was forced into action as Ball State's center this fall. A natural offensive guard, Palazeti started all 12 games on the offensive line with 11 starts at the center position. Palazeti is majoring in professional selling and has a 3.507 GPA.
The other Cardinals to qualify for the Academic All-MAC team were senior wide receiver Aaron Hepp, sophomore offensive lineman Alex Joss, sophomore quarterback Riley Neal, redshirt freshman tight end Danny Pinter, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Zac Ricketts, redshirt freshman tight end Kyle Schrank, sophomore defensive lineman Fred Schroeder, junior linebacker Terin Solomon, sophomore corner back Marc Walton and redshirt freshman linebacker Jacob White.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.
Ball State concluded the 2016 season with a 4-8 overall record and 1-7 mark in the MAC. Four of Ball State's seven league losses were by seven points or less.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Brunner is slated to complete his bachelor's degree this semester. The native of Washington, Michigan, earned 22 starts at tight end over the last three years for the Cardinals. He finished his senior campaign with eight catches for 80 yards and a touchdown in the win over Florida Atlantic on Sept. 24. Brunner is majoring in social studies, teaching and carries a 3.436 grade-point average.
Miller, a senior offensive lineman from Sturgis, Michigan, recently took home the Ball State football team's Gene Booker Academic Award as well. He finished his career with 32 consecutive starts in the trenches. The health and physical education major currently carries a 3.532 GPA.
Palazeti is a junior offensive lineman from Owosso, Michigan. He was forced into action as Ball State's center this fall. A natural offensive guard, Palazeti started all 12 games on the offensive line with 11 starts at the center position. Palazeti is majoring in professional selling and has a 3.507 GPA.
The other Cardinals to qualify for the Academic All-MAC team were senior wide receiver Aaron Hepp, sophomore offensive lineman Alex Joss, sophomore quarterback Riley Neal, redshirt freshman tight end Danny Pinter, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Zac Ricketts, redshirt freshman tight end Kyle Schrank, sophomore defensive lineman Fred Schroeder, junior linebacker Terin Solomon, sophomore corner back Marc Walton and redshirt freshman linebacker Jacob White.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.
Ball State concluded the 2016 season with a 4-8 overall record and 1-7 mark in the MAC. Four of Ball State's seven league losses were by seven points or less.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
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