University News

Fernando Pacheco Named CoSIDA Academic All-American

December 8, 2017

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From WIU Athletics

MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois senior forward Fernando Pacheco (La Piedad, Michoacan, Mexico/Iowa City) has earned CoSIDA Academic All-America® First Team honors.

The senior forward is one of 11 players in the nation to be named to the First Team, and is coming off a season where he earned back-to-back All-Summit League Second Team honors at forward. He also garnered his third straight Academic All-Summit League honor.

"We are very proud of Fernando for both his accomplishments on the field and in the classroom, here at Western Illinois," said Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson. "He is a team leader in every sense of the word and sets the bar high in all that he does."

Pacheco was also named a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District® honoree on Nov. 9 as one of 11 recipients across the region of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio to be named to the award. A Business Administration major, he currently holds a 3.79 GPA. Pacheco was also a Summit League Offensive Player of the Week in 2017.

He wrapped up the 2017 season with seven goals and one assist for 15 points, along with two game-winners. He finished his career as a Leatherneck with 14 points, 12 assists for 40 points.

"Fernando has excelled in the classroom and on the field his entire career at Western Illinois University," said Director of Athletics Matt Tanney. "He is most deserving of the award, and we are thrilled his hard work as a scholar and athlete has been recognized at the highest level."

Pacheco is the third Leatherneck in program history to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-American, joining Charlie Bales (2014, First Team) and Yves Dietrich (2014, Third Team). He is also only the third player in program history to be named Academic All-District/Region, joining alumni Kevin Ross (2009, First Team) and Dietrich (2014, Capital One).

Posted By: WIU Athletics (SID@wiu.edu)
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