June 15, 2004

Columbia, Mo. -Missouri wrestler Kenny Burleson was named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-America Men's At-Large University Division third team as announced Tuesday by CoSIDA. Burleson is the first Missouri wrestler selected as an Academic All-American since Shaon Fry was named to the first team in 1993.

A 2004 All-American at 157 pounds, Burleson finished in seventh place at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and recently graduated with a degree in Business Administration. One of only three Big 12 Conference student-athletes named to the list of 44 first, second and third team members, Burleson is one of four wrestlers to receive recognition for his achievements in the classroom and on the mat.

Burleson, a native of Neosho, Mo., graduated with a 3.49 grade-point average and was recently named to the Academic All-District VII Men's At-Large University Division team. Burleson is the sixth Missouri student-athlete selected as an Academic All-American in 2003-04.

The CoSIDA Academic All-America program honors 816 male and female student-athletes annually who have succeeded at the highest level on the playing field and in the classroom. Individuals are selected through voting by CoSIDA, a 2,000-member organization consisting of sports public relations professionals for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Division I, Division II, Division III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports.