June 7, 2002
 Ryan Schade was named First Team Verizon Academic All-America for his outstanding contributions on the field and in the classroom.  |
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Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina senior infielder Ryan Schade was named first team Verizon Academic All-America, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Schade, who graduated from Western this past May with a 3.881 grade point average in sport management, becomes the 16th Catamount to earn Academic All-America honors and the sixth WCU baseball player to do so.
Schade (Lewisburg, Pa.) was the epitome the term student-athlete. On the field, he was named his team's Co-MVP as well as being recognized by the league's coaches as first team All-Southern Conference at shortstop. In the classroom, he was recipient of the "Jim Hamilton Major of the Year" award, which goes to the top student in the WCU sport management department. Schade became eligible for All-America honors after being selected to the Verizon All-District III first team earlier this season.
Schade had a career year, splitting time between shortstop and third base this season. He batted .367 to rank 11th in the league with 16 doubles, seven home runs and 44 RBIs. He additionally ranked among the SoCon leaders in hits (seventh with 83), runs scored (eighth with 58) and total bases (seventh with 124). In SoCon games only, Schade ranked among the top 10 in seven offensive categories, including hits, total bases, runs scored, home runs, RBIs, doubles and slugging percentage.
Schade started the season in impressive fashion, earning National Player of the Week honors by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association as well as Southern Conference Player of the Week honors (Feb. 18). He batted .692 (9-for-13) in the three games versus Wright State with four doubles, seven runs scored and six RBIs. He was three for five and drove in three runs with a pair of doubles in the first game of the series and followed that with three hits, two RBIs and two doubles in the nightcap. On Sunday, Schade collected three hits, an RBI and scored four runs, including the game-winning run in the seventh inning. Schade also turned in some impressive defensive plays, fielding a perfect 1.000 in 20 chances, including 10 assists in game one, which led the SoCon during the regular season. He additionally had seven RBIs in a game versus Appalachian State, hitting two doubles and two home runs, which was the best in the SoCon this season.
Schade was joined on the Verizon Academic All-America first team by fellow SoCon student-athlete Randy Corn (The Citadel), while Davidson's Tim Frend was a third team selection.
Below is a list of Catamounts who have earned Academic All-America: Mike Wade (Football).........................1975 Second Team.......1976 First Team Greg Dennis (Men's Basketball)...............1980 Second Team.......1982 Third Team David Hill (Baseball)........................1983 First Team Greg Johnson (Baseball)......................1983 First Team Eddie Maddox (Football)......................1984 First Team........1985 Second Team Richard Rogers (Men's Basketball)............1986 Honorable Mention Donna Smith (Volleyball).....................1986 Second Team David Hyatt (Baseball).......................1986 Third Team Myron Lewis (Men's Basketball)...............1990 Second Team Susie Marie Gardner (Track/Cross Country)* ..1991 Second Team.......1992 First Team.....1993 First Team Jack Kimel (Baseball)........................1992 Second Team Rodney Hennon (Baseball).....................1992 First Team........1993 Second Team Lori Lyons (Women's Basketball)..............1992 Third Team Kristin Baxter (Volleyball)..................1994 Second Team.......1995 Second Team Ramsey Herron (Volleyball)...................1998 Second Team.......1999 Second Team Ryan Schade (Baseball).......................2002 First Team
*-Gardner ran track and cross country but was named to the At-Large All-America Teams in 1991, '92 and '93.
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