WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – The academic and athletic accomplishments of Eastern Connecticut State University senior long-stick midfielder Jon Snedeker (Southington, Conn.) have landed him a spot on the United State Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) 2008 Scholar All-America Team.

Snedeker was among 61 seniors in divisions I, II and III to earn a spot on the 2008 team. The USILA Scholar All-America program was initiated in 1989 “to recognize student-athletes from USILA member institutions who have distinguished themselves academically, athletically, and as citizens of their communities.”

This past spring, Snedeker was named to the All-Little East Conference team for the fourth straight year, and also earned an Eastern/E-Club Scholar-Athlete Award for the second time in his two seasons of eligibility. With an overall grade-point average of 3.33, Snedeker graduated earlier this month with a degree in business and minor in marketing.

“Jon illustrates all of the attributes of a great student-athlete,” praised Eastern men’s lacrosse head coach Justin Axel. “During his career, he was recognized by his peers as a captain for two years, was a four-time all-conference selection, took part in many extra-curricular activities, and graduated in four years from our business school with a strong GPA.”
Also a member of Delta Mu Delta – the International Honor Society for Business Administration -- Snedeker started all 17 matches this season for Eastern and was second on the team among non-faceoff players with 53 ground balls. He finished his career ranked in a tie for third all-time in matches (66) -- missing only two in his career – and second all-time in ground balls (267).

As a long-stick midfielder and close defenseman, Snedeker helped the Warriors to two NCAA and ECAC post-season tournaments, two unbeaten regular-season conference championships and one post-season conference title and an overall conference regular-season record of 21-2. This year’s team won the conference regular-season title and finished with an overall record of 10-7.

Snedeker becomes Eastern’s second selection to the USILA academic squad – first since John Rubano was named in 2000. A total of 14 student-athletes from New England institutions were named to the 2008 scholar team, with Snedeker the only selectee from either a state-supported institution or from the Little East Conference. Nationally, recipients came from such prestigious institutions as Duke, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Princeton, Brown, and RIT.

Snedeker left today for Australia, where he will represent the United States in the international Down Under Cup competition this weekend.

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