TOWSON, MD -- Union College senior linebacker John Peters has been named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football Team. The team is selected by CoSIDA, the College Sports Information Directors of America. He was a first team selection to the College Team. 

Peters is the sixth Union football player in the history of the program to receive first team honors, and first since Roger Egbert in 1996. It is the seventh time a Dutchman has received the honor, as Tom Anacker was a first team selection in 1970 and 1971. The last Union student-athlete to receive first team honors was women's soccer player Erika Eisenhut in 2005. 

This is the 17th time a Union student-athlete has been recognized by CoSIDA's Academic All-America program. This total includes second and third team selections.

Peters had 121 tackles and 6.5 tackles for losses in the 2009 season. He was a four time Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week and led the league in tackles all season. He is the first Union player to reach 100 tackles in a season since 1996. Peters finished second all-time at Union for single season tackles and is 22nd in NCAA Div. III this year. He finished his career with 228 tackles, which ranks tied for eighth all time at Union. Peters was named to the CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team, and is eligible for All-American honors. He tied his own school record this year with 22 tackles in a game vs. Rochester. He had seven games with double figure tackles, including 15 vs. Susquehanna and 14 at Muhlenberg. 

Quarterback Tim Tebow from the top-ranked University of Florida was named the University Division Academic All-America of the Year while Beau Kildow of Morningside received the College Division Academic All-America of the Year honor.

2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Teams

All-time Union College ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans