CEDAR CITY, Utah, Nov. 8 ? Two Southern Utah University football players have been named to this year's CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII squad, it was announced today. Seniors Matt Roan and Johnny Sanchez both earned the honor after being voted onto the team by balloting among the district's sports information directors.

Roan, an offensive tackle from Dublin, Va., carries a 3.79 cumulative grade point average in political science. He is a three-year starter.

Sanchez, a running back from Los Lunas, N.M., carries a cumulative GPA of 3.34 in engineering technology. A two-year starter, Sanchez has led the Thunderbirds in rushing in both 2006 and 2007.

“We're always excited to see our players get recognition for their accomplishments,” SUU head football coach Wes Meier said. “Matt and Johnny are two guys who work hard both on and off the football field and it's good to see them get this honor.”

Both players were named second-team all-Great West Football Conference in 2006 and Roan is a two-time academic all-GWFC selection since transferring from Virginia Tech. Sanchez was not eligible for academic all-GWFC honors last year after transferring from Glendale CC in the spring of 2006.