November 9, 2012

Golden Eagle Stephen Bush earns CoSIDA Academic All-District honor

Tennessee Tech sophomore runningback Stephen Bush has been voted to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team for his dual performances on the field and in the classroom. He is one of just four players in the OVC to earn the honor.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech runningback Stephen Bush has been voted to the 2012 CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District team for his dual performances on the field and in the classroom, one of just four players in the Ohio Valley Conference to earn the award. He owns a 3.90 grade point average while majoring in business.

A sophomore from Cookeville, Bush entered the season in a backup role but was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries. He rushed for a career-high 63 yards on 14 carries against North Greenville, then matched those numbers exactly with 63 yards in 14 carries when the Golden Eagles faced BCS No. 4 Oregon. He got his first career start at Southeast Missouri and also had the starting assignment against Jacksonville State.

Through nine games, Bush ranks fourth on the team in rushing with 157 yards and two touchdowns.

“Stephen is just a great kid, he’s a great football player and a great student," said Tech coach Watson Brown. "He’s just a class act who represents Tennessee Tech well both on and off the field. He’s one of our guys who is active in the community, and we’re just really proud of him.”

Bush made an impression during his first season, appearing in all 11 games as a true freshman in 2011 mostly on special teams. His name appeared on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll in both of his first two semesters.

Bush was a three-year standout at Cookeville High School, serving as team captain as a senior on his way to being named District 6-6A Most Valuable Player. An Honor student, he was named to the Herald-Citizen All-Upper Cumberland first-team, and was voted by his team as the Most Valuable Offensive Player. He also received the prestigious Cav Award. As a senior, he rushed for 1,292 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per try. He also has 202 receiving yards and two touchdowns, 16 punt returns for 205 yards and 15 kick returns for 238 yards. On defense, he had 36 total tackles and three interceptions.

One of just four OVC football players to earn Academic All-District honors, he is joined by offensive lineman Patrick Ford of Eastern Kentucky, offensive lineman Ben Stansfield of Austin Peay and defensive lineman Iosua SIlva of Austin Peay.

The son of Barry and Sharla Bush, Stephen is the 110th Tennessee Tech student-athlete since 1985 to earn CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.

Bush's selection gives the Tech football program a total of 28 Academic All-District selections. Previous football winners are Barry Wilmore (1985), Andy Rittenhouse (1985, 1986, 1987), Joel Chandler (1986), Clark Rickey (1987), Spencer Hissam (1990), Ted Lockerby (1991, 1992), Scott Trent (1995), Jeff Norman (1997), Wes Gallagher (1997, 198, 1999), Nick Solomon (2000), Grant Swallows (2001), Trey Perry (2002), Brett Vavra (2004), Jon Mahan (2005), Taylor Askew (2007, 2008 and 2009), Bradley Thpmpson (2007, 2008), Corey Watson (2011) and James Normand (2011).

Bush and the Golden Eagles will be on the field Saturday at 1:30 p.m. to face UT Martin in an Ohio Valley Conference game.