NDSU Safety Craig Dahl Among Eight Finalists for FCS ADA's Postgraduate Scholarship
12/20/2006 6:00:00 AM | Football
Eight finalists were selected for the Sixth Annual Division FCS ADA's $5,000 Postgraduate Scholarship. Of those eight, two of the student-athletes will receive postgraduate scholarships during the Association's annual membership meeting held in conjunction with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention, being held at the World Center Marriott Resort in
The other finalists include Adi Filipovic, Furman, offensive line, 3.92; Ray Gensler, Robert Morris, defensive line, 3.91; Josh Hoke, Coastal Carolina, place-kicker, 3.98; Kyle Kinsell, Davidson, defensive line, 3.83; James Lindgren, Northern Iowa, wide receiver, 3.81; Jonathan Rueter, Eastern Illinois, offensive line, 3.71; and Darren Schmidt, Columbia, defensive end, 3.76.
Dahl, a 6-foot-1, 213-pound senior from Mankato, Minn. (East H.S.), was vital part of a defense that ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense (13.4 ppg) and ninth in total defense (253.64 ypg). He will play in the first annual IntaJuice North-South All-Star Classic in Houston, Texas, on Jan. 13.
Dahl, a two-time team captain, was third on the team with 62 tackles including 32 solo stops, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He became NDSU's all-time leader with 134 solo tackles during the season and tied the school single-game record with 12 solo tackles against Nicholls State in 2004.
Playing with a broken right hand and two broken fingers on his left for a majority of the season, Dahl had two interceptions this season including one that set up the game-winning TD drive in the 28-24 win over UC Davis on Nov. 4. He finished with seven career interceptions.
Dahl was a two-time first team All-Great West Football Conference selection in 2004 and 2006, and was second team all-league in 2005. He was a three-time GWFC Defensive Player of the Week during his career.
Dahl became the second NDSU football player to earn CoSIDA Academic All-America® first team honors this season. He was also one of 37 I-AA players selected as a National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame 2006 Draddy Trophy semifinalist. Dahl, who maintains a 3.58 grade point average majoring in mechanical engineering, is a two-time academic all-district and academic all-conference selection.
Craig is the son of Terry and Laurie Dahl, Madison Lake, Minn. His brother, Brian, was a starting defensive end for the Bison.
In order to qualify for a postgraduate scholarship, players must have been named to the 2006 FCS ADA Academic All-Star team, and either a senior or graduate student.
A special Review Committee of Football Championship Subdivision athletics directors was responsible for selecting the all-star team and scholarship finalists. Completing this task were Greg Burke, Northwestern State; Peter Fields, Montana State; Don Kaverman, chair, Southeast Missouri State; Marilyn McNeil, Monmouth; Jim Murphy, Davidson; and Tim Van Alstine, Western Illinois.
Now in its 14th year, the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football. The Association is administered by NACDA, now in its 42nd year. NACDA is the professional and educational association for more than 6,100 college athletics administrators at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the
