Nov. 11, 1999

AMHERST, Mass. - Senior offensive lineman Mike Wynne (Somerdale, N.J.) and junior defensive back Brian Smith (Wilmington, Del.) have been named to the 1999 GTE/Co-SIDA Academic All-District I football team, it was announced today.

Wynne, who has a 3.93 grade-point average in accounting, had the highest GPA among those named to the squad. Recently named a National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete and a Division I-AA Scholar Athlete of the Week by the American Football Coaches Association and Burger King, Wynne has started all nine games this season at left guard for the Minutemen. UMass has won its last five games, and the Minutemen are averaging 30.8 points per game behind the blocking of Wynne and the offensive line. In all, Wynne has made 35 consecutive starts at left guar for UMass, the defending I-AA national champions. A second-team Academic All-American last year, this is Wynne's third Academic All-District I citation.

Smith, who has a 3.31 grade-point average in computer science, currently ranks second on the team in tackles with 79, including 53 unassisted. He has recorded an interception in each of the last two games, has broken up two passes this year, and has a sack and seven tackles for loss for a combined 28 yards. He also blocked an extra point in the game against Hofstra. This is the second consecutive year that Smith has been named to the Academic All-District I team.

Wynne, Smith and the rest of the Minutemen return to action this Saturday at 1:00 p.m., when they travel to William & Mary.