NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Six Hampton University student-athletes were named to the 2008-09 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-Academic Team on Thursday, joining 201 other student-athletes throughout the commonwealth honored for their performances in both the classroom and in athletic competition.

Men's tennis saw two student-athletes named to the VaSID All-Academic Team: senior Gabriel Groh (Taubate, Brazil) and junior Gellert Varga (Becej, Serbia). Groh graduated this past May with a degree in finance, while Varga is studying in entrepreneurship. Women's tennis senior Livia Branco (Valinhos, Brazil) was also named to the team, after receiving her degree in political science.

Kevin Teel (Bowie, Md.), a senior from the football team who also ran track, was named to the All-Academic Team. He received his degree in electrical engineering. Sophomore Damon Dixon (Great Falls, Va.), an All-MEAC selection in the decathlon, was also named, as was senior Amanda Black (Hamilton, Ontario) from the softball team. Black received her degree in psychology in May.

Each Virginia institution, including NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, and independents, had the opportunity to submit athletes to be honored. To be eligible, student-athletes were required to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or better. The student must have achieved sophomore status, and he or she could not have been in the first season of competition at their current school. All athletes are either starters or key reserves for their team. The complete list of 207 athletes follows.

For more information on Hampton University athletics, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.