SALEM, Va. – Bethany College senior Eric Walker (New Brighton, Pa.) has been selected as a running back for the D3 Senior Classic 2011 Preseason All-American Football South Second Team. The D3 Senior Classic is the premier postseason all-star game showcasing the talent of senior players on the NCAA Division III level.
The third annual game will be held on the weekend of December 10, 2011, at Salem Stadium, home of the NCAA Division III National Championship game in Salem, Va. By being named to the Preseason All-American team, Walker has now earned a game invitation to the Senior Classic Football Game, which is sponsored by the Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL).
This is the first time a Bison player has earned a spot on the Classic’s Preseason All-American Team, but he is the second Bison player to earn an invitation to play in the game. Last season, offensive lineman Jason Soltis was also extended an invitation to compete but did not play. Walker was also one of only three players from the PAC to be recognized and the only player on the Second Team as defensive lineman Jay Volker and kick returner Kendall Owens from Thomas More were named Honorable Mentio.
Walker is a three-time All-PAC selection, including consecutive Second Team accolades the last two seasons. Last season, he ranked fourth in the PAC in rushing yards (898) and total touchdowns (13), which helped him break the school’s career touchdown mark (39). With 2,491 career rushing yards, Walker ranks third all-time at Bethany and he needs just 456 more to break the all-time record of 2,946 held by Will Anderson.
“Eric has been a leader for us since he arrived three years ago, and we’ll continue to count on him to lead and to be a playmaker for us as a senior,” said Bethany head coach Tim Weaver, whose staff was part of the first-ever D3 Football Classic in 2009. “It’s exciting for us to have a player named to the D3 Senior Classic All-American team because our staff coached in the inaugural game a couple of years ago. We’d love to send a representative to play.”
A communications major, Eric is the son of Lorraine Walker of New Brighton, Pa.
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