FSU's Billins Earns Academic All-America Kudos

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Big Rapids, Mich. - Senior defenseman Chad Billins (Marysville) of the 2011-12 NCAA Division I National Runner-Up Ferris State University men's ice hockey team has added to his list of impressive accomplishments by being named to the 2012 Capital One At-Large Division One Academic All-America Second Team.

The Capital One Academic All-America Men's At-Large program is chosen by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSDIA) and includes the sports of fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming and diving, tennis, water polo and wrestling.

To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

With his selection, Billins wrapped up his senior campaign as both an All-American on the ice and an Academic All-American for his work both in the classroom and on the ice.

Billins was among only six men's ice hockey players tabbed to either of the three Division One All-America teams (first, second, third), which consisted of 15 players each.  No hockey student-athletes were named to the first team and he was one of only three on the second team.

Previously, Billins was named to the Capital One Academic At-Large All-District 5 First Team as chosen by CoSIDA, which enabled him to advance to the All-America ballot.

A native of Marysville, Mich., Billins logged 29 points (7-22—29) and 24 penalty minutes in 43 games with the Bulldogs this season while claiming American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-America Second Team plaudits on the ice.

The veteran defenseman served as a co-captain for the Bulldogs during the team's run to the NCAA Frozen Four, where they were defeated in the championship game by Boston College on April 7 in Tampa, Fla. The 5-10, 175-pound defenseman skated in 149 games in four years with Ferris State, notching 67 points (17-50—67) and 108 penalty minutes.

Billins was recognized this season as both a All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) First Team recipient and the winner of the CCHA's prestigious Scholar-Athlete Award as the Bulldogs claimed the school's second-ever league regular-season crown.

Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports. For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.