February 5, 2010

WPI's Ben Etten Named to CoSIDA Men's Basketball Academic All-District First Team

Worcester, Mass. - WPI men's basketball student-athlete Ben Etten has been selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I first team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (Co-SIDA).

Etten, who now advances to the national ballot for All-American consideration, is one of five men's basketball student-athletes who were selected to the first team in the College Division, which is comprised of NCAA Division II and III and NAIA programs in New England, New York and Eastern Canada.

The junior forward has helped WPI to a 14-5 mark this winter by averaging 9.0 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 43 assists. Etten earned All-NEWMAC accolades last season as a sophomore while helping the Engineers win their sixth straight NEWMAC regular season championship. WPI finished the season with a 21-6 record, appearing in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the fifth consecutive year and advancing to the second round.

A Dean's List scholar and Academic All-NEWMAC team member, Etten boasts a 3.82 GPA while pursuing a degree in civil engineering. The junior is currently completing his IQP project, which is determining the economical value between hybrid, electric and gasoline powered cars.

A volunteer with big Brothers/Big Sisters, Etten studied World War I and World War II Generals as part of his sophomore sufficiency.

Etten, who hails from Hollis, NH, is the son of Kirk and Teri Etten. He played scholastically for head coach Mike Soucy at Hollis-Brookline High School.