P.J. Theisen voted Academic All-America again

June 23, 2008

Senior P.J. Theisen is among 15 athletes named to the Men's Track & Field and Cross Country College Division Academic All-America first team. The prestigious 2007-08 team was announced today by ESPN The Magazine and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The College Division includes NAIA and NCAA Division II and III institutions.

Theisen closed out a remarkable St. Thomas academic and athletic career in May as he helped the Tommies place fifth nationally in men's outdoor track and field. He placed third in the 400 hurdles in 51.92, the fastest time ever by an MIAC runner, and also placed eighth in the long jump.

Theisen, who graduated with a 3.94 grade-point average in Accounting, is a seven-time track and field All-American. His four career CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in football and track and field rank second in conference history. Only St. Thomas' Andrew Hilliard has won more Academic All-America honors (five) among MIAC student athletes. Theisen was honored in football and track and field in 2006-07; missed the 2007-08 seasons with a foot injury; and made the football Academic All-America team last fall.

P.J.'s sister, Katie, who just finished her junior year for St. Thomas, in on the national ballot for a similar award. The women's Track and Field/CC Academic All-America teams will be announced Wednesday. Katie, who had a 4.00 gpa, earned All-America honors in cross country and indoor track and also qualified for nationals in outdoor track.

P.J. scored 233 individual points in eight MIAC championship meets (indoors and outdoors). Only UST legend Leonard Jones (247) has scored more individual points among all conference competitors. Theisen was a part of seven MIAC title teams in indoor and outdoor track.

Theisen also was a four-year starter in football and was an honorable-mention All-American and two-time All-MIAC wide receiver. One of 10 national finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy (the Division III Player of the Year), Theisen finished his career in the top five among MIAC players in two categories -- he was third in receptions with 218 and fourth in receiving yards at 3,223 yards. He also had 25 touchdown catches to finish with 150 points, sixth best in school history. He finished third in career all-purpose yards at 4,025. He had 100-yard receiving games in 13 of his last 19 games.

Theisen was named a National Football Foundation Scholar and became just the fourth MIAC player in 40 years to win the NFF's prestigious $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. He was was among 22 players in all levels of college football to be chosen to the AFCA's Good Works Team for exceptional community service.

Theisen recently was named 2007-08 MIAC Male Student Athlete of the Year by College Sporting News. He's also been nominated for an NCAA postgraduate scholarship.

Three other MIAC student-athletes made the 45-man CoSIDA track/CC Academic All-America teams -- St. John's senior Chris Erichsen made first team; and SJU's Eric Buss and Gustavus' Ddrew Hood made second team.