May 26, 2009

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri State University junior catcher Jim Klocke (St. Louis, Mo./St. John Vianney) was voted to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Baseball Second Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Klocke is the first Southeast baseball player to earn Academic All-America honors since pitcher Lee Lummus in 1987.

Klocke, a Business Administration major with an emphasis in Finance, has maintained a 3.923 cumulative grade point average while excelling on the field for the Redhawks. In 2009, he earned All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team honors for the second consecutive season while leading the Redhawks at the plate with a .394 batting average. He also the led the team in runs scored (56), doubles (20), and on-base percentage (.484). The right-handed hitter was also among team leaders with nine home runs and 46 runs batted in.

In his first year in the closer role, Klocke also recorded seven saves this season, which ranks third all-time for most saves in a single season. He pitched 23.2 innings in 17 appearances on the mound, and he recorded 22 strikeouts while allowing just seven walks.

Klocke was one of four players recognized this season from the Ohio Valley Conference. Eastern Illinois senior Brian Morrell (pitcher) earned first team honors, while Morehead State juniors Drew Lee (shortstop) and Michael Bottoms (utility player) joined Klocke on the second team.

To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.

ESPN The Magazine – winner of the 2006 and 2003 National Magazine Award for General Excellence – is a provocative and innovative sports publication. Full of insight, analysis, impact and wit, the oversized biweekly with a circulation of 1.9 million looks ahead to give fans a unique perspective on the world of sports.

For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.