Feb. 17, 2005

DENVER - Senior guard Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) was selected to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VII Men's Basketball Team, as voted on and announced Thursday, Feb. 17 by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

North Dakota State's David Erbes, Iowas, Adam Haluska, Nebraska's Jake Muhleisen and Derek Winans of Southeast Missouri State join him on the team. The five men represent the district as candidates for the 2005 Academic All-America Team.

The 6-foot-1 Benzel carries a 3.69 grade point average at the Daniels College of Business where he is pursuing a degree in finance. He is a two-time member of the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List for earning a 3.5 GPA, and a recipient of the University's gold and silver academic medallions given annually for academic excellence.

Benzel is third on the Pioneers' squad in scoring and steals at 13.0 and 1.7 per game, respectively. As one of Denver's top players, he has earned Preseason All-SBC Second-Team honors this season.

2005 Academic All-District VII University Division Men's Basketball Team
Name 		School 			Dist. 	Yr. 	Hometown 			GPA 	Major
Erik Benzel 	Denver 			VII 	Sr. 	Spokane, Wash. 		3.69 	Finance
David Erbes 	North Dakota State	 	VII 	Sr. 	Barney, N.D. 		3.88 	Agricultural Economics
Adam Haluska 	Iowa 			VII 	So. 	Carroll, Iowa 		3.46 	Finance
Jake Muhleisen 	Nebraska 			VII 	Sr. 	Lincoln, Neb. 		3.726	Finance
Derek Winans	Southeast Missouri State 	VII 	Sr. 	East Cape Girardeau, Ill. 	3.977 	Business