The senior linebacker entered the fall with a 3.82 GPA and was an All-League Second Team selection
By: Rick Bender
HANOVER, N.H. — The Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) announced its 26th Annual Academic All-Star Team comprised of 52 individuals. Among the honorees was Dartmouth senior Macklin Ayers for the second straight year. The 52 players were selected from a pool of 104 applicants, and he was one of just two Ivy Leaguers chosen for the distinction.
Ayers, a 6-3, 235-pound linebacker from Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, started all 10 games for the Ivy League champion and was named to the All-Ivy League second team. Majoring in sociology modified with environmental studies, the two-time Academic All-Ivy League selection entered the fall term with a 3.82 GPA. He led the team and ranked fifth in the Ancient Eight with 79 tackles while posting three tackles for a loss — one of which was a sack — and one interception.
Football players from all FCS institutions are eligible for the award. Each of the nominees was required to have a minimum GPA of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. Nominees must have reached their second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. They must also have participated in 50 percent (50%) of the games played at their designated position.
Notes: In the 26 years the Academic All-Star Team has been named, Dartmouth has had 19 players selected a total of 27 times … Ayers is the seventh Big Green player to earn the honor more than once, joining Josh Dooley '06, Andrew Dete '09, Tanner Scott '11, Michael Runger '14, and Jack Heneghan '18, as well as three-time honoree Jack Traynor '19.