Ball State University Athletics
Senior OL Vinnie Palazeti //
Photo by: Paul Ferrer
Twelve Ball State Student-Athletes Honored on Academic All-MAC Football Team
December 19, 2017 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Mid-American Conference recently announced its 2017 Academic All-MAC football team and 12 Ball State student-athletes made the list. Senior Vinnie Palazeti was one of only 11 football players league-wide to be honored as a four-time selection.
Palazeti, an offensive lineman from Owosso, Michigan, graduated at the end of the fall semester with his bachelor's degree in professional selling. On the football field this fall, Palazeti played left guard, left tackle and right tackle. The team captain and third team All-MAC honoree helped Ball State rush for a season-high 293 yards in the season finale against Miami (Ohio). Palazeti was on two national award watch lists this season – the Campbell Trophy (best scholar-athlete in the nation) and Wuerffel Trophy (college football's premiere award for community service).
Five other Cardinals made a return to the Academic All-MAC team after earning a spot in 2016 as well – sophomore tight end Danny Pinter, sophomore offensive lineman Zac Ricketts, sophomore tight end Kyle Schrank, junior defensive lineman Fred Schroeder and junior defensive back Marc Walton.
Six Ball State players were honored for the first time on this team – redshirt freshman offensive lineman Chris Beech, sophomore defensive back Mitch Larsen, sophomore wide receiver Riley Miller, sophomore offensive lineman Andrew Poenitsch, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Kaleb Slaven and sophomore offensive lineman Grant Williamson.
The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to students who have 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.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Palazeti, an offensive lineman from Owosso, Michigan, graduated at the end of the fall semester with his bachelor's degree in professional selling. On the football field this fall, Palazeti played left guard, left tackle and right tackle. The team captain and third team All-MAC honoree helped Ball State rush for a season-high 293 yards in the season finale against Miami (Ohio). Palazeti was on two national award watch lists this season – the Campbell Trophy (best scholar-athlete in the nation) and Wuerffel Trophy (college football's premiere award for community service).
Five other Cardinals made a return to the Academic All-MAC team after earning a spot in 2016 as well – sophomore tight end Danny Pinter, sophomore offensive lineman Zac Ricketts, sophomore tight end Kyle Schrank, junior defensive lineman Fred Schroeder and junior defensive back Marc Walton.
Six Ball State players were honored for the first time on this team – redshirt freshman offensive lineman Chris Beech, sophomore defensive back Mitch Larsen, sophomore wide receiver Riley Miller, sophomore offensive lineman Andrew Poenitsch, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Kaleb Slaven and sophomore offensive lineman Grant Williamson.
The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to students who have 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.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Players Mentioned
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