MIKE KLOBUCHER NAMED TO AFCA DIVISION II ALL-AMERICA TEAM

Ferris State Standout Recognized By The American Football Coaches Association

Senior middle linebacker Mike Klobucher (Grand Haven/North Muskegon) of the Ferris State University football team has been named to the 2006 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches’ All-America Team as announced Wednesday (Dec. 13) by the AFCA.

Klobucher was among 25 football student-athletes to receive 2006 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team recognition. The annual AFCA All-America Team features 11 members apiece on offense and defense along with three specialists.

The AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team is comprised of players from NCAA Division II and NAIA institutions. The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all four of its divisions. AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team members receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team. The 2006 team features 23 upperclassmen, including 17 seniors.

Besides Klobucher, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) was also represented by quarterback Cullen Finnerty of Grand Valley State, Northwood linebacker Charleston Hughes, and Wayne State running back Joique Bell.

Klobucher, a 2006 All-GLIAC First-Team selection and Ferris State's Most Valuable Player the last two seasons (2005-06), led the Bulldogs in tackles for the 2006 campaign with 92 total stops (47 solos) in 10 contests. The two-time (2005-06) team defensive co-captain also recorded 6.5 tackles for minus 29 yards, including 2.5 pass sacks for a loss of 19 yards, to go along with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He posted five double-digit single-game tackle performances this fall, which included a season-high 16 tackles (nine solos) against Michigan Tech (10/7). The 6-2, 248-pound linebacker, who presently is listed 25th nationally in total tackles (9.2 avg.) and 31st in solo tackles (4.7 avg.) on the 2006 NCAA-II statistical leaders list, played an integral role this season in leading Ferris State to its best record since 1996 at 8-3-0 overall.

A two-time (2005-06) FSU defensive co-captain, Klobucher has earned the distinction of being the Bulldogs' top tackles leader the last three seasons (2004-06) and finished a productive four-year career at Ferris State ranking seventh among the school's all-time leaders in tackles with 389 career stops (206 solos) in 42 contests.

The All-America recognition is among several honors and awards received by Klobucher this postseason. He recently was chosen as the National Football Foundation's (NFF) Michigan Chapter Division II recipient of the Morley Fraser Award, which is given to a collegiate football player who demonstrates academic achievement, football ability and leadership. Klobucher was also selected as the recipient of the 2006 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (GLIAC) Jack H. McAvoy Award for outstanding character and leadership along with being named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football First Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

A three-time (2004-06) GLIAC All-Academic Team honoree, Klobucher was tabbed a 2006 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and was a finalist for the prestigious Draddy Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's top college football scholar-athlete.

With his selection, Klobucher joins an impressive list of former Ferris State standouts to attain AFCA All-America accolades - flanker Carlton Brewster (2005), outside linebacker Kevin Myers (2004 and 2005), flanker Clarence Coleman (2001), kicker-punter Doc Proctor (1999), defensive tackle Kelly Chisholm (1996), quarterback Bill Love (1995), tailback Tyree Dye (1994), defensive tackle Ed Philion (1993), outside linebacker Monty Brown (1992), and running back Chuck Evans (1976).