Seven members of the 2011 Long Beach City College football team have been named to the Southern California Football Association Scholar-Athlete Team, which was announced by SCFA Commissioner Jim Sartoris earlier this week.

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Craighead (Wilson HS, pictured), the 2011 SCFA West Conference Offensive Player of the Year, was also a winner in the classroom. His 3.57 grade point average was tops on last season's Viking squad.

Others earning academic accolades for the Vikings were Dennis Buckner (Rancho Verde HS) 3.04 GPA, Lorenzo Castillo (Narbonne HS) 3.29 GPA, Francisco Cedeno (Sacramento, CA) 3.18 GPA, Luc Laverdiere (St. Francis HS) 3.11 GPA, Keresoma Leio (Paramount HS) 3.04 GPA, and Alex Taylor (Torrance HS) 3.01 GPA.

"The coaching staff is extremely proud of these guys," said LBCC head coach Mike Reisbig. "They all took care of business on the field and more importantly, in the classroom."

Student athletes participating in football at SCFA member schools are eligible for the scholar athlete team based upon the following criteria:
1. Participation as an active member of a SCFA football team, with two seasons of participation at the collegiate level, or until forced out of competition by season-ending injury.
2. Successful completion of a minimum 36 units, 27 of which must be in academic (non-PE or sport activity) courses.
3. Achievement of a minimum 3.0 (B) grade point average

View the complete 2011 SCFA Scholar-Athlete Team list here

Photo by John Fajardo