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 Jason Whaley, a first team Academic All-America, was named second team I-AA All-American by College Sports Television. |
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Jan. 6, 2004
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina offensive lineman Jason Whaley (Beaulaville, N.C.) has been named to the 2003 College Sports Television (CSTV) I-AA All-American second team. A consensus first team All-Southern Conference pick this past season, Whaley had previously been honored as a first team CoSIDA Academic All-America for his work in the classroom and on the field.
A product of East Duplin HS, Whaley graduated from Western Carolina this past December, finishing his collegiate career with a 3.918 grade point average in Computer Information Systems. During the graduation ceremony he was recognized as a University Scholar for his GPA.
A finalist for the 2003 Draddy Trophy, which goes to the nation's top Football Scholar-Athlete from all divisions of college football, Whaley earned an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2003 College Football National Scholar-Athlete Class. Whaley additionally was named to the Division I-AA Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team for the second consecutive year. He is also one of eight finalist for the Third Annual Division I-AA ADA's $5,000 Postgraduate Scholarship, which will be awarded this summer.
Whaley, a three-time WCU Male Student Athlete of the Year, was a 2003 first team preseason All-American according to Street & Smith's. He has started at both left and right tackle as well as left and right guard in his career. Whaley made the move from left guard to right tackle for The Citadel game on September 20, a game the Cats won 28-21. He led a unit that did not give up a sack in 26 pass attempts. For his effort, Whaley was named the TIAA/CREF Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week. At season's end, he was named to the TIAA/CREF Southern Conference Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team.
Whaley's play was a key in the Catamounts leading the SoCon in passing for a second consecutive season. His offensive line unit only allowed 11 sacks in 433 passing attempts on the season, which is just one sack every 40.36 attempts and tops in the SoCon. Overall, the WCU offensive line did not give up a sack in six of its 12 contests, including games versus North Carolina State, The Citadel, East Tennessee State, Furman, Chattanooga and Elon. Twice this season, Western had streaks of 121 consecutive pass attempts without allowing a sack. A 2003 team captain, Whaley is a four-time Southern Conference Honor Roll member and a nine-time Dean's List member.
Other Catamounts to be named All-American include: Mark Buffamoyer (1984), Art Byrd (1949), Alonzo Carmichael (1985-86), Louis Cooper (1984), Don Dalton (1969), Mark Ferguson (1973), Jerry Gaines (1974), Tiger Greene (1983-84), Todd Harkins (1992), Kerry Hayes (1992-93), Ken Hinsley (1998), Brad Hoover (1998), Eric Johnson (1997-98), Josh Jones (1999), Steve Kornegay (1984), Darrell Lipford (1976), Eric Rasheed (1983), Kirk Roach (1984, '86-87), John Ruta (1964), Geno Segers (1988), Clyde Simmons (1985), Michale Spicer (2002), Frank Stankunas (1962), Jim Williams (1966), Steve Willliams (1971) and Steve Yates (1972 and '74).
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