Nov. 30, 2006

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Rhode Island junior offensive tackle Damien Gresko has been named to the 2006 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Second-Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, it was announced on Thursday.

Gresko started all 11 games at right tackle for the Rams in 2006. URI averaged 192.1 rushing yards per game, good for second in the Atlantic 10 and 16th nationally. The Huntingdon, PA, native appeared in eight games in 2004 and 2005 and was named to the 2005 Academic All-Conference team.

Off the field, Gresko boasts a 4.0 grade point average while majoring in accounting and finance.

In order to be eligible for the Academic All-America team, a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.20 grade-point average into at least his sophomore year and be a starter or significant reserve.