2011-12 Capitol One Academic All-America men's and women's basketball teams

TOWSON, Md. — Fort Lewis College's Matt Morris was named to the Capitol One Academic All-America men's basketball third team for NCAA Division II, national coordinator Dan O'Connell announced today.

Morris becomes just the second Skyhawk in the history of the program to receive the national honor. Ryan Ostrom was a first team selection in 1997-98.

“This is another well-deserved honor for Matt,” said 16th-year FLC head coach Bob Hofman. “He's been a true icon for our program for the past five years. It's very deserved. Nobody works harder at both his game and his academics. As a program, we're very proud of Matt and what he's done for us.”

Morris, a 6-foot-6 senior center from Durango High School, maintains a 3.59 grade point average in Business Administration-Finance. He was named to the Academic All-District VII first team this year, having earned second team honors as a junior in 2010-11.

Morris is a three-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Academic first team performer. He is also a three-time D2 Athletic Directors Association/WeatherPORT Academic Achievement Award winner and has been named to the following teams: All-RMAC second team in 2010-11, All-RMAC West Division second team in 2009-10, and Preseason All-RMAC in 2011-12, and was the RMAC/Baden Offensive Player of the Week on Jan. 2 and Feb. 6, 2012.

A four-year starter, Morris leads the RMAC and ranks seventh in the nation in rebounding (10.5 rpg). The only player in the conference to average a double-double this season (15.6 ppg, 10.5 rpg), Morris also leads the RMAC in defensive rebounds (6.8 rpg) and ranks among conference leaders in field goal shooting (second, .618), offensive rebounds (second, 3.7 rpg), scoring (fourth, 15.6 ppg), and free throw shooting (26th, .703).

He ranks among FLC career leaders in rebounds (sixth, 636), free throws (sixth, 294), field goals (14th, 425), scoring (15th, 1,144), and blocked shots (16th, 34).

Nominations and voting for the Capitol One Academic All-America teams are conducted by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) across the nation. There are separate teams for NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, plus a College Division, which includes NAIA and junior college.

Nominees must maintain a 3.30 grade point average or higher, be in their second year of competition at their respective school, and be a starter or key reserve.

Capital One, an NCAA Corporate Champion, began its affiliation with college sports with the sponsorship of the 2001 Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl (now the Capital One Bowl) and ESPN's Capital One Bowl Week. In 2010, Capital One launched the Capital One Cup, a prestigious new program rewarding NCAA Division I athletic programs for their cumulative on-field performance across multiple men's and women's sports. In addition, Capital One sponsors the ABC College Football Halftime Report, Capital One All-America Mascot Team, all 88 NCAA Championships including the Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, and numerous other collegiate athletics programs.

The Skyhawks (13-11 overall, 11-9 in the RMAC) wrap up the regular season at home this weekend when they host Western State (12-12, 10-10) Friday and Colorado Mesa (14-10, 12-8) Saturday. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.

Friday's game marks senior night for Matt Billups, Josh Cassaday, and Matt Morris. The trio and their parents will be honored in a pregame ceremony.

The FLC football team will hold a clothing drive for the La Plata Family Centers Coalition each night. Fans are encouraged to donate clothing – children's clothing in sizes 5-15 in particular.

Fort Lewis sits in seventh place in league standings, a half game behind sixth place Chadron State (12-13, 12-9). The top eight teams at the end of the regular season advance to the RMAC Shootout, with the top four hosting first-round games on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Fort Lewis can clinch a berth in the tournament with a win or a Colorado State-Pueblo (12-12, 9-11) loss.