Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Linda Naiman
Bucknell's Rick Mottram Named First Team Academic All-American
12/9/2019 12:23:00 PM | Football
AUSTIN, Texas – Bucknell's Rick Mottram was voted as a First Team Academic All-American, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced Monday.
Mottram, a junior Mechanical Engineering major with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, is the 25th Bison football player to be tabbed as an Academic All-American. He is the fourth Bison to be recognized this decade, joining linebacker Travis Nissley (2010), linebacker Tim Bolte (2011) and running back Matt DelMauro (2015).
Mottram was one of 21 student-athletes recognized on this year's Academic All-America Team who boasted a 4.0 GPA. He was also the lone Patriot League student-athlete to make the prestigious squad.
Mottram, who previously made his second-straight Academic All-Patriot League Team, emerged as the quarterback of Bucknell's defense this year. With 102 tackles (64 solo), he became the first Bison to reach the century mark in a single campaign since Evan Byers (119) in 2014. He also totaled eight tackles for a loss, four sacks, two interceptions and one fumble return for a touchdown.
Mottram reached the double digits in tackles six times, including in the final four games. He wrapped up his junior campaign with 147 tackles (93 solo), 18 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and one fumble return in 24 career games, 14 of which were starts in the past two seasons.
Off the field, Mottram has worked as a research assistant in Bucknell's Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering departments; his projects have involved developing a patented, open-source 3D printer and determining the viscoelastic properties of mineral oils and investigating whether the addition of nanocarriers had an effect on the viscosity. In addition, he has served as a tutor and study group facilitator for Calculus 1, been involved in recreating the curriculum of an engineering seminar called Engineering Athletics and interned for Lohnpack Contract Filling as a researcher and website designer.
In 2017, Mottram was chosen as one of five NFF Chapter Scholar-Athletes by the NFF & College Hall of Fame and represented Bucknell at the NFF Chapter Awards Banquet in New York City; the valedictorian of his high school class, he graduated with the top GPA in Allentown High School history, a weighted 4.549.
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Mottram, a junior Mechanical Engineering major with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, is the 25th Bison football player to be tabbed as an Academic All-American. He is the fourth Bison to be recognized this decade, joining linebacker Travis Nissley (2010), linebacker Tim Bolte (2011) and running back Matt DelMauro (2015).
Mottram was one of 21 student-athletes recognized on this year's Academic All-America Team who boasted a 4.0 GPA. He was also the lone Patriot League student-athlete to make the prestigious squad.
Mottram, who previously made his second-straight Academic All-Patriot League Team, emerged as the quarterback of Bucknell's defense this year. With 102 tackles (64 solo), he became the first Bison to reach the century mark in a single campaign since Evan Byers (119) in 2014. He also totaled eight tackles for a loss, four sacks, two interceptions and one fumble return for a touchdown.
Mottram reached the double digits in tackles six times, including in the final four games. He wrapped up his junior campaign with 147 tackles (93 solo), 18 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and one fumble return in 24 career games, 14 of which were starts in the past two seasons.
Off the field, Mottram has worked as a research assistant in Bucknell's Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering departments; his projects have involved developing a patented, open-source 3D printer and determining the viscoelastic properties of mineral oils and investigating whether the addition of nanocarriers had an effect on the viscosity. In addition, he has served as a tutor and study group facilitator for Calculus 1, been involved in recreating the curriculum of an engineering seminar called Engineering Athletics and interned for Lohnpack Contract Filling as a researcher and website designer.
In 2017, Mottram was chosen as one of five NFF Chapter Scholar-Athletes by the NFF & College Hall of Fame and represented Bucknell at the NFF Chapter Awards Banquet in New York City; the valedictorian of his high school class, he graduated with the top GPA in Allentown High School history, a weighted 4.549.
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