The following is a release courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics:
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Senior special teams stalwart Mike Anello and senior
offensive guard Chris Stewart were each named to the ESPN The
Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Team for District 5 on Thursday.
Anello (Orland Park, Ill.) and Stewart (Spring, Texas), each of whom
graduated in 3.5 years and currently take graduate level courses, now get
placed on the national ballot for the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic
All-America Team.
Anello, who was named Academic All-America second team last year, earned a
degree from Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business in finance. He finished
his undergraduate work with a 3.93 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
Anello earned dean's list recognition in each of his seven semesters at
Notre Dame. He registered a perfect 4.0 GPA in his major courses and was a
member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honors society.
Anello ranks eighth on the Irish in total special teams tackles (five) and
tied for sixth in kickoff return tackles (five) this season.
Anello was also named one of 10 finalists for the Awards and Recognition
Association (ARA) Sportsmanship Award. The ARA Sportsmanship Award is
presented annually to an NCAA Division I college football player who
exemplifies sportsmanship both on and off the field. The selection of the
winner is made by a blue-ribbon panel comprised of retired coaches, ARA
executives and members of the media who cover college sports.
Stewart earned a degree from the College of Arts and Letters in history. He
finished his undergraduate studies with a 3.536 cumulative GPA. Stewart
registered a 3.834 GPA in his final semester (‘09 spring).
Stewart has started 18 career games for Notre Dame on the offensive line,
including all eight games this season at left guard. He has been a key
reason for the improved Irish running attack. Notre Dame is averaging 147.9
yards per game on the ground this season – a huge improvement from the past
two years when the Irish managed just 75.2 (2007) and 109.7 (2008) yards
rushing per game.
During his undergraduate coursework, Stewart had the opportunity to learn
about Haiti and the diseases that affect it. Over the ‘09 spring break, he
was given the chance to visit the country and see firsthand Notre Dame’s
Haiti Program. During his weeklong visit, Stewart conducted research,
learned the logistics of the program and toured facilities geared toward
eradicating lymphatic filariasis – a parasitic disease caused by
microscopic, thread-like worms. The disease, which is transmitted by
mosquitoes, can cause swelling and decreased function of the lymph system,
making it difficult for the body to fight germs and infections.