Louison Garners Capital One Academic All-District® Men’s Basketball Team Honors
BROOKLYN, N.Y.—Recognizing his outstanding effort on the hardwood and in the classroom, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) senior David Louison has been named to the 2014-15 Capital One Academic All-District® Men's Basketball Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Louison becomes the first Brooklyn Campus student-athlete to receive the honor in any sport, selected for the All-District First Team for District 3, which covers all Division III institutions in New York state. Only five Division III men's basketball players from New York schools were given the distinction, and only 44 nationally. He now advances to the Capital One Academic All-America® Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.
"Dave epitomizes what it means to be a St. Joseph's College student-athlete and he truly deserves to receive this honor, one of the highest academic accolades in collegiate sports," commented Athletic Director Frank P. Carbone. "I wish him luck in the Academic All-American voting and hope this is the first of many Academic All-District honorees from St. Joseph's (Brooklyn.)"
"Student-athletes have all heard that one common motif repeated before, during, and after every single season: 'Being a student comes first!'" remarked Louison who boasts a 3.93 grade point average as a criminal justice major. "Thankfully, St. Joseph's College has provided an atmosphere where I can put my studies first while also playing the game that I love so dearly."
The St. Edmund Prep H.S. product from Brooklyn has helped the Bears to a 14-7 mark—matching the best start under Head Coach Joseph Cocozello—posting 16.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, both team highs, and recording 15 double-doubles, which places him third in Division III. Louison just completed one his finest games pouring in a career-high 35 points, his second 30-plus point game of the season, shooting 15-of-20 from the field and leading the Bears to a come-from-behind victory over Valley Forge at home on Saturday.
Earlier this season, Louison joined the exclusive 1,500-point, 1,000-rebound club. His 1,106 career rebounds and 55 career double-doubles currently leads all active Division III players.
Off the court, Louison has worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office as a student clerk since June 2012 gaining valuable exposure and experience working on high profile cases. Upon his graduation from SJC this spring, Louison plans to attend law school and continue to pursue a career as a lawyer.
"The combination of Dave's God-given ability and work ethic has made him a premier player at the Division III level," commented Coach Cocozello. "His many achievements on the court both individually and with his teammates speak for themselves. Equally impressive is the pride he puts into his academics. He truly epitomizes the term student-athlete. Most impressive of all is his character! Dave is a gentleman both on and off the court and we are truly blessed to have had him represent St. Joseph's College these past four years!"
"I'm so grateful for the support system that I've been blessed with and the academic family that I've gained, both of which have played essential roles in this humbling achievement," concluded Louison. "I'm truly honored."
Joining Louison on the 2014-15 Capital One Academic All-District® team are John Coleman of Clarkson University, Gordon Lyons of SUNY Geneseo, Benjamin Ritholtz of Yeshiva University and James Zuccaro of College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Full 2014-15 Capital One Academic All-District® Team Listing