For the first time in nearly three decades, a Washington State football player has been named to the Academic All-America first team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Senior wide receiver Brandon Arconado was so honored for his 3.65 grade-point average. He already has a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and is working toward his master’s in business administration.
The last time the Cougars had someone on the first team was in 1991 with kicker Jason Hanson. Chima Nwachukwu, a safety, was a second-team selection in 2010.
“Brandon is awesome, exactly the kind of student-athlete you root for,” said Nancy Swanger, the faculty athletic representative at WSU who also serves as associate dean and director of the WSU Carson College of Business.