UMD Bulldogs "ALLETE" Moments: Classroom
Throughout this year, UMD Athletics is partnering with Minnesota Power, ALLETE to highlight the Bulldogs accomplishments in the 3 C's: Classroom, Competition, Community. 

Three University of Minnesota Duluth football players were named to the 2023 Academic All-America Football Teams selected by the College Sports Communicators Tuesday.

Repeat Academic All-American Arik Johnson was joined by Sam Pitz on the the First Team, while Ethan Beffert was named to the Second Team.

Johnson, a graduate offensive lineman from Birchwood, Wis., is now a two-time CSC Academic All-Team First Team member with a 3.98 GPA in criminology. A senior tight end from Appleton, Wis., Pitz picks up his first Academic All-American nod after earning a 3.69 GPA, also in criminology.

Beffert, a senior defensive lineman hails from Hutchinson, Minn. and earned his Second Team All-American selection with a 3.79 GPA in chemistry. 

Outstanding student-athletes are nominated for Academic All-District® recognition by communications directors and must have a minimum 3.50 GPA and meet high athletic standards. (25,000+ nominations annually). A select group of student athletes advances to the national ballot where CSC members vote on Academic All-America teams. (2,000 selections annually).

Established in 1952 and selected by College Sports Communicators, Academic All-America is the longest running and premier award for athletic and academic success across championship college sports at all NCAA levels, the NAIA, two-year colleges and Canadian institutions. Teams are announced year round and amplified by CSC member colleges, universities, and conferences on a wide local, regional, national, and even international scope.

About Minnesota Power, ALLETE:
Our bold vision centers on our commitment to climate, customers and communities. We're a clean-energy leader under our EnergyForward strategy, already delivering 50% renewable energy ahead of all other Minnesota utilities. Now we're doubling down on that with a vision to deliver 100% carbon-free energy to customers reliably and affordably by 2050. Learn more at: https://www.mnpower.com/CarbonFreeEnergyVision