PEORIA, Ill. ?
Bradley senior pitcher Eitan Barbalat (Thornhill, Ontario/Westmount Collegiate Institute) has been named a first-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American, the College Sports Information Directors of America announced Tuesday. Barbalat earned second-team honors as a junior last season.
Barbalat is one of two players on the 11-player first-team with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average. He received his bachelor's degree in cell and molecular biology during a special ceremony with Bradley University President Joanne K. Glasser earlier this month and has been accepted into the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University He remains one of 10 national finalists for the baseball version of the 2008 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
On the diamond, Barbalat has successfully recovered from a blood clot that formed in his right shoulder during the 2006 season and the subsequent surgery to prevent further clots. The senior hurler went 3-1 with a save and a 5.14 ERA in 35.0 innings during his final season as a Brave.
The recent recognition adds to a very decorated spring academically for Barbalat. He was recognized as one of three honorees for the 2008 Megan C. Fong Inspiration Award during the Bradley athletic department's annual awards ceremony. He also was recognized as one of three finalists for the 2008 Bradley University Watonga Award, which is the most prestigious award presented by Bradley University to a student-athlete and involves academic success, athletic success and community service.
After being named to the second-team last season, Barbalat is just the second Brave to earn ESPN the Magazine All-America honors, joining former BU catcher Brad Canada, who was a second-team pick in 2004 and a first-team selection in 2005
In order to be eligible for the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America program, baseball players must maintain a minimum 3.2 cumulative grade point average, complete a full academic year at the nominating institution and be a starter or important reserve. Nominees are first voted upon at the district level by active CoSIDA members.
