Damien Gresko Named Second-Team Academic All-American

Nov. 30, 2006

KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island junior offensive lineman Damien Gresko was named an ESPN The Magazine Second-Team Academic All-American, Wednesday, as voted upon by the College Sports Information Director's Association (CoSIDA) membership.

"Damien is the epitome of what it means to be a student athlete," said head coach Tim Stowers. "He plays every down like it's the last down in the world and also treats every day in the classroom like it is his last. That is why he has a perfect GPA."

Gresko carries a 4.0 grade point average as a double major in accounting and finance. A four-time Dean's list selection, he was named an Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference selection as a freshman and a sophomore. He has also garnered A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll honors and is a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Gresko started all 11 games at right tackle for the 4-7 Rams. The URI offense finished second in the Atlantic 10 with 192.0 rushing yards per game while averaging 308.1 yards of total offense this season. URI finished third in the country last season in rushing with 318.6 yards per game with Gresko on the starting unit. He also helped pave the way for sophomore Joe Casey, who was named a first-team All-Atlantic 10 fullback for the second-straight season.