CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. (November 9, 2000) - Southeast Missouri State defensive back Isaac Powell was named to the 2000 Verizon Academic All-American All-District VII squad on Thursday.

Having been honored as an All-District member, Powell will receive the honor of being on the national ballot for voting later this year.

This season, Powell ranks second on the Southeast team in tackles with 106 (55 solo), has three tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions (with a long return of 68 yards) and four pass breakups. His outstanding performance on the field has lived up to expectations, as Powell was named to the preseason All-OVC team prior to the season.

Besides being a standout on the gridiron, Powell, a pre-medicine major, has been a standout in the classroom and in the community. He currently carries a 3.523 grade point average and has won numerous academic achievement awards. Early this year, Black Issues in Higher Education magazine honored Powell as a prestigious "2000 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar" award winner. The award recognizes minority athletes who have excelled on and off the field. Powell has also been named to the Dean's List twice, the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll twice and won the Southeast Student Athlete Award three times.

Powell, a native of Florrisant, Mo., attended Hazelwood Central High School where he helped lead his team to a Missouri State Championship his senior season.

The Academic All-American Teams Program was created in 1952 by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) to honor athletes who excel not just in sports but also in academics. The Verizon Academic All-American Teams Program annually names and honors nearly 700 scholar-athletes to 10 total teams (five men's and five women's teams) in two divisions.