Nov. 24, 2009

Center Valley, Pa. - Bucknell junior linebacker Travis Nissley was honored for his accomplishments on the field and in the classroom as the recipient of the Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, it was announced on Tuesday.

Nissley, a Mechanical Enigneering major, carries a 3.94 cumulative grade-point average through his first four semesters at Bucknell. He has recorded GPAs of 3.91, 4.0 and 3.95. He was elected to Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society) and is a recipient of Charles F. White Memorial Prize for scholar-athletes. Nissley is a member of Bucknell Classics Club, and volunteered with Toys for Tots and the National Marrow Donor Program.

Nissley emerged as one of Bucknell's top defensive players this year, placing second on the team with 93 tackles and recording five double-figure tackle games. He had three consecutive games with at least 10 tackles, and posted a career-high 15 stops against Lafayette on Oct. 31. Nissley made 86 tackles in his nine starts. He also recorded three pass breakups and a tackle for loss. He placed sixth in the Patriot League this season with 8.5 tackles per game.

Nissley is Bucknell's fifth different recipient of the Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and earns the seventh overall honor from the school, more than any other Patriot League program. He is Bucknell's first Scholar-Athlete winner since Kevin Eiben took home the award in 2000.

To be eligible for the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average and be a starter or key player in his/her sport. Freshmen are not eligible for this honor. The award is voted on by the Patriot League's football sports information directors.

The Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year for each individual sport comprises the pool of nominees for the Patriot League Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards given out over the summer. One male and one female are selected for this honor.