Men's Basketball Southern Conference

WCU's Robinson Named Third Team All-Academic

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina men's basketball senior forward Jake Robinson was today named to the 2009-10 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America third team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The honor is the first for Robinson, who boasts a 3.40 while majoring in Finance.

Robinson becomes just the fourth Catamount men's basketball player to garner Academic All-America honors, and the first since Myron Lewis earned second team honors back in 1990. In addition to Lewis, Robinson joins Greg Dennis, who was a two-time selection in 1980 (second team) and '82 (third team), and Richard Rogers who was a third-team recipient in 1986.

In early February, Robinson was a first team Academic All-District III selection to become eligible for the national honor.

Robinson was among 15 student-athletes selected nationwide, and the lone representative from the Southern Conference. Other notables among the 15 players divided into three teams was 2009-10 Academic All-America of the Year, Cole Aldrich from Kansas

Robinson, who averages just under 12 points per game to lead the Catamounts, has twice been named the SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week, garnering the plaudits back on December 2 and again on January 6. The Canton, N.C., native broke the 14-year old school record for three-pointers in a career and ranks among the career leaders in the SoCon with a pair of home dates and conference tournament remaining.

A 2009 Southern Conference Coleman Lew Leadership Award winner, Robinson is also a two-time Southern Conference Winter All-Academic selection.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Western Carolina (19-10, 9-7 SoCon) returns to action this Thursday, Feb. 25 as it hosts Samford at 7:00 pm in the Ramsey Center. On Saturday, Robinson and his four classmates - Adrian Gailliard, Brandon Giles, Kendall Russell and Brigham Waginger - will be honored in a special pre-game ceremony ahead of the regular season finale against Chattanooga. Tip-off of the regionally televised game on SportSouth is set for 3:00 pm.