In recognition of their classroom excellence, four Blackburn College football players have been honored as Academic All-Upper Midwest Athletic Conference selections.

Those earning the honor were Mark Hillen (Batchtown, Ill.), Brandon Freehill (Carlinville, Ill.), Paul Horst (Edelstein, Ill.), and Andrew Ott (Fillmore, Ill.).

It is the third consecutive Academic All-UMAC selection for Hillen, while Horst earned the honor for the second straight time. Each of the four were also regular All-UMAC honorees last fall, as Hillen and Freehill were named to the first team, Ott was a second-team selection, and Horst was honorable mention.

To earn Academic All-UMAC recognition, players must earn at least a 3.5 semester grade-point average on a 4.0 scale, have completed the previous two semesters at the nominating school, and have participated in the sport in the same semester of the nomination.