by Matt Cooke
UWG Wolves football standout Alex Macaulay was honored Wednesday for his excellence on the field and in the classroom. Alex was named a first team member of 2014 Capital One Academic All-America® Division II football team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
“We are indeed very proud of Alex Macaulay and his accomplishments during his career here at the University of West Georgia,” said Dr. Kyle Marrero, president of the University of West Georgia. “We pride ourselves in the success of our student-athletes both on the field and in the academic arena.”
Alex, a senior wide receiver from Lakeville, Minnesota, has been a standout in the classroom throughout his UWG career. He carries a 3.80 grade point average (G.P.A.) while majoring in marketing and finance. He is a two-time member of the Gulf South Conference All-Academic Team, and has been named three times to the GSC Academic Honor Roll. In December of 2013, he was one of eight UWG athletes who were named Ingram Scholars, which is given to the top students at UWG each year.
“Alex’s accomplishments are very consistent with the mission and strategic plan of our athletic department and the university as a whole,” Dr. Marrero said. “Alex’s achievements herald the efforts of our administrative team, our coaches and our support staff in leading our student-athletes to success in all areas of life.”
Beyond his academic prowess, Alex has been a standout on the field for UWG. This season he has started all 13 games, and ranks second on the team with 38 pass receptions, good for 450 yards and four touchdowns. For his career Alex has 62 catches, 741 yards and five touchdowns.
“Alex Macaulay is the type of football player who always does the right thing at the right time both on the field and off,” said Will. “He is a tremendous competitor, a great leader on the field and someone who is a great ambassador for this program.”
Alex continues a year of firsts for the UWG football program in its first year under the direction of head coach Will Hall, as he becomes the first football player in program history to earn Academic All-America status.
"Alex Macaulay exemplifies the the true meaning of student-athlete,” said Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support David Haase. “He exhibits this by his hard work and accomplishments both inside and outside the classroom. We are truly blessed to have Alex as a member of the University of West Georgia community."
The only other Academic All-American for the UWG athletic program overall in Division II was men’s basketball standout Lance Reinhard, who earned the honor in the 1992-93 season. Prior to the move to Division II, Lamar Frady (1980-81) ,and Corky Umstead (1979-80) were named Academic All-America for men’s basketball.
The Capital One Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2014-15 Division II Academic All-America® teams program.
Alex will be in the starting lineup, and is expected to be a major contributor this Saturday as West Georgia faces Valdosta State in Super Region 2 Finals of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. Kickoff time is set for noon on Cleveland Field at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta.
Do you have a comment or opinion about this story's topic? Perspective Online wants to hear from you. Submit a letter to the editor at perspect@westga.edu today.
