Three walk-ons earn athletic scholarships for 2010-11 academic year

Senior long snapper John Henry Pace, junior defensive lineman Andrew Struckmeyer and junior cornerback Ricky Weina, all three walk-ons, have been awarded athletic scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year, according to a news release Tuesday from the Northwestern Athletics Department.

Pace, in his second year as a long-snapper, and Weina, a backup cornerback, have both received significant playing time, while Struckmeyer has excelled as a practice squad player.

The two juniors and senior join a history of former walk-on players at NU, including former wide receiver Zeke Markshausen, who earned All-Big Ten honors last year after leading the team with 91 receptions, and junior running back Jacob Schmidt, who has seen significant playing time this year.

Senior Corbin Bryant named to Good Works Team for off-field activity

The Northwestern Athletics Department announced Tuesday that senior defensive tackle Corbin Bryant was named to the Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.

Bryant and 10 others were selected out of a field of 112 nominees.

The award complements what has been a career year on the field thus far for Bryant. He has compiled three-and-a-half tackles for loss, a forced fumble and an interception in just three games.

Bryant, who has already graduated and is now pursuing postgraduate studies, is one of four Big Ten athletes to make the team. He’s a three-time Academic All-Big Ten winner, the president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and has volunteered with numerous organizations, including Dance Marathon and Evanston Special Olympics.

On a team level, Bryant is one of four captains and is also a two-year member of NU’s 10-player Leadership Council.

This marks the fifth straight year a Wildcat has been named to the team, as Bryant joins Andrew Brewer (2009), Eric Peterman (2008), Adam Kadela (2007) and Joel Howells (2006).

– Jonah L. Rosenblum