Bicocca Named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior place-kicker Matt Bicocca (6'1", 167 lbs., San Andreas, CA/Calaveras HS) has been named First Team ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District VIII, as selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A total of 26 student-athletes received Academic All-District VIII honors. Only a First Team was chosen, with each of the selected players becoming eligible for the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team, which will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 29.

Bicocca, who is majoring in Chemistry (Biochemistry track), owns a 3.63 cumulative grade point average. He has scored a career-high 45 points this season, while converting 6 of 11 field goals and 27 of 27 extra points. His longest field goal so far this year covered 42 yards and provided the winning points with four seconds left in Willamette's 33-32 victory over arch rival Linfield College on Sept. 29.

He kicked the longest field goal of his career, a 47-yarder, against Lewis & Clark College last season. This year, he set school records for extra points made and attempted in a game by converting 11 of 11 PATs against Lewis & Clark on Nov. 3. He also set Willamette's career records for extra points during the game, as he increasing his four-year totals to 101 conversions on 111 attempts.

Bicocca has connected on 19 of 28 field goals the past three seasons and is 21 of 40 on field goals during his career. He has scored 164 points during his four years with the Bearcats. Bicocca also plays baseball for Willamette and will be a senior right-handed pitcher during the 2008 season.

As a place-kicker, Bicocca was named First Team All-Northwest Conference in 2006. He was chosen NWC Special Teams Player of the Week for games played on Nov. 4, 2006, Sept. 29, 2007 and Nov. 3, 2007.

CoSIDA District VIII includes college and universities in the western United States. Players nominated for the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team were starters or key reserves with cumulative grade point averages of 3.2 or higher (4.0 scale). Each player was at his current college or university for at least one academic year.

The College Division includes players in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA. The Bearcats compete in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference.