STAMFORD, CT -- Three University of Delaware football standouts have been named to the Verizon/College Sports Information Directors of America Division I Football Academic All-American team.

Junior spread end Brett Veach was named first team All-District II and second team national Academic All-American while junior offensive guard John Ahern was named first team All-District II and senior cornerback Dan Speciale was named second team All-District II.

To be eligible, student-athletes must have a 3.2 grade point index or better and be a starter or key reserve for his team. The teams are selected from a vote of sports information directors and includes all schools at the NCAA Division I-A and I-AA level. District II includes all schools in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.

All three played key roles in the University of Delaware's 2000 season that saw the Blue Hens post a 12-2 record, share the Atlantic 10 Conference title with Richmond with a 7-1 mark, and advance to the NCAA I-AA semifinals for the second time in four years. Delaware lost to eventual national champion Georgia Southern 27-18 in the semifinals Dec. 9 at Delaware Stadium.

Veach, a 5-9, 182 lb. junior spread end from Mt. Carmel, PA (Mt. Carmel HS) becomes the first Blue Hen to earn Academic All-American honors since offensive lineman Matt Smith was named second team in 1994. Veach was also a first team District II All-Academic selection. The owner of a 3.42 grade point index as a physical education major, Veach tied fellow junior Jamin Elliott for the team lead in receptions with 58 for 815 yards, a 14.1 yard per catch average, and eight touchdowns. He also rushed 12 times for 59 yards and was a third team All-Atlantic 10 selection as a kick returner, averaging 6.7 yards on seven punt returns and 24.1 yards on 23 kickoff returns. His 83 career receptions rank 10th all-time at Delaware.

Ahern, a 6-3, 295 lb. offensive guard from Rochester, NY (Greece Athena HS), was named first team All-District after an outstanding 2000 season. He started all 14 games in 2000 and paved the way for an offense that averaged 41.4 points per game in the regular season to rank second in NCAA I-AA. The Hens also ranked 16th nationally in total offense (445.9) and passing offense (260.0) and gained over 500 yards in a game five times. Delaware never scored less than 18 points in a game and had 30 or more points 10 times. A third team All-Atlantic 10 selection, Ahern carries a 3.47 grade point index in exercise physiology.

Speciale, a 5-8, 177 lb. senior from Ventnor, NJ (Atlantic City HS), earned second team All-District honors. A former walk-on and a first-year starter, Speciale appeared in 10 games with nine starts in 2000. He ranked 11th on the team in tackles with 34, including 25 solo stops. He also had two tackles for loss and recovered a fumble on the season. He carries a 3.25 gpa in biology and plans to attend graduate schools next fall.

The CoSIDA Academic All-American team was highlighted by Purdue quarterback Drew Brees who was named the Verizon Academic All-American of the Year.

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