Two Pioneer men's basketball players named Academic All-OAC honorable mention
Rucker and Stewart both first time recepients of league honor

Mar. 8, 2006
TWINSBURG, Ohio — The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) league office announced its 2006 men's basketball academic awards Wednesday (Mar. 8), and Marietta College Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) and Craig Stewart (Circleville) were both given Academic All-OAC honorable mention.

Rucker is a junior petroleum engineering major that carries a 3.47 GPA. The center finished the year averaging 8.7 points. He also wrapped up the regular season ranked 12th in rebounding (5.0), eighth in FG% (.550) and third in blocks (1.2) among OAC players.

Stewart, a All-OAC honorble mention performer, is a sophomore political science major with a 3.26 GPA. The guard finished the regular season ranked 11th in scoring (14.2) and second in FT% (.895). He broke the OAC record for 3-point field goal attempts in a game (22) and season (253). Stewart also set a school record for 3-point field goals made in a season with 91, nine shy of the OAC record.

The Pioneers finished the season with an overall record of 4-21, including a 1-17 league record. They will not lose any players to graduation this year.

Overall, five student-athletes were named Academic All-OAC, while six more were given honorable metion in 2006. To be eligible for Academic All-OAC, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA, be a starter or key reserve and be in at least his or her second year of participation in the sport.

Junior Matt Rucker (above) and sophomore Craig Stewart (below) were named Academic All-OAC honorable mention in 2006.