Waller honored as Central Ohio College Scholar-Athlete

NEW CONCORD, OHIO, February 9, 2005 - The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Columbus Chapter has recognized Muskingum College senior defensive back Mark Waller as a 2005 Central Ohio College Scholar-Athlete.

Waller, a computer science and economics major, carries a 3.88 grade-point-average. Waller ended the season with 17 tackles, two pass break-ups, one interception and one forced fumble, while appearing in five games due to an early-season injury. Waller was named first team Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference in 2003 and 2004 and was an Academic All-District IV honoree in 2003.

"Mark is an outstanding young guy and obviously a tremendous student-athlete," said Muskingum Head Coach Jeff Heacock. "He has done just a wonderful job here at Muskingum. He's a role model amongst his peers, and an obvious a leader in the classroom and in our football program. This award just brings out the qualities that Mark has portrayed over the last four years."

On campus, Waller is a member of the Lambda Sigma Honor Society, Kappa Mu Epsilon National Collegiate Math Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society, Association for Computing Machinery, and has been on the dean’s list for four years. Waller's outstanding achievements in the classroom and on the gridiron enabled him to attain a nationally prestigious post-graduate job with IBM in Boulder, Colorado.

This marks the third straight year that a member of the Muskingum College football team was honored as a Central Ohio College Scholar-Athlete (Chris Shank - 2003, Scott Elzey - 2004).

The Columbus Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame honors the top high school and college scholar-athletes in the Central Ohio area annually. The recognition is based on their outstanding academic application and performance, exemplary school leadership and citizenship, and superior football performance.

Eight Muskies named All-OAC
Waller named OAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month for November
Clum selected to play in American Football Coaches Association Aztec Bowl