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. 


Two University of Minnesota Duluth football players were named to the 2024 Academic All-America Football Teams selected by the College Sports Communicators Tuesday.

Repeat Academic All-American Sam Pitz was named to the First Team for a consecutive year, while DaShaun Ames was selected to the Second Team.

Pitz, a graduate tight end for Appleton, Wis., is now a two-time CSC Academic All-American First Team member after earning the honor last season. A business major with a 3.88 GPA, Pitz was a 2024 American Football Coaches Association Division II First Team All-American, as well as a 2024 Don Hansen NCAA DII Honorable Mention All-Americans. Pitz became a four-time NSIC First Team All-Conference selection after scoring two TDs and posting 360 receiving yards in 11 games this year. Pitz averaged 10.9 yards a catch and 32.7 yards per game in 2024.

Ames, a redshirt junior from Cumberland, Wis., picks up his first Academic All-American honor with a 3.95 GPA in physical education. Already named a NSIC Myles Brand selection for his academic efforts, Ames made his NSIC All-Conference Second Team debut after having a career season in 2024. The 6'1" WR had 11 receiving touchdowns in 11 games and had 756 yards in the air on 38 receptions for a 19.9 yards per catch average – an NSIC-best effort and a 68.7 yards per game average all season.

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