ECU’s Allen and Pinkney named Conference USA All-Academic

IRVING, Texas – East Carolina seniors Sean Allen and Patrick Pinkney are two of 14 student-athletes named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team, as selected by the league’s Sports Information Directors for football Thursday. This year’s all-academic squad is made up of two graduate students, nine seniors, a junior and a pair of sophomores.

Rice and UTEP had a league-best three selections land on the All-Academic team, while East Carolina and SMU had two apiece. Memphis, Tulane, Tulsa and UCF also placed one member each on the squad. The all-academic team consists of student-athletes who have earned a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or better and are a starter or key reserve on their team.

Both Allen and Pinkney are first time selections on the all-academic squad leading the Pirates to their second-straight appearance in the C-USA Championship Game.

Allen is an information technologies student with a minor in business administration. The Wilson, N.C., native owns a 3.34 GPA and was selected a preseason All-C-USA first teamer by league coaches, CBSSports.com, Phil Steele Magazine, Rivals.com and The Sporting News.

Pinkney earned his bachelor’s degree in health fitness in May 2008 and is currently working towards a second degree in child development and family relations. The senior quarterback owns a 3.24 GPA and has completed 221-373 passes (59.2%) for 2,476 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.