BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Gulf South Conference announced its 2009-10 GSC Winter Sports All-Academic Teams on Monday, March 29 and Delta State University seniors Eric Spencer and Dmitry Pirshin were named to the GSC All-Academic Men's Basketball Team.  A total of 21 student-athletes were selected led by one three-time honoree and six returnees from last year's squad.

Spencer, a 6-foot-4 senior guard, returns to the team after being selected in 2008-09.  The Marion, Ark., native averaged 11.3 points and 3.3 rebounds, while leading the Statesmen to a 19-8 overall record and a second place finish in the GSC West Division.  Spencer was also a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-Region selection and a three-time recipient of the GSC's Academic Honor Roll. 

Spencer will graduate in May with a degree in chemistry/biology and an outstanding 3.92 GPA.  He will enroll this fall at the University of Miami to pursue a master's degree.

Pirshin, a 6-foot-7 senior forward from Moscow, Russia, concluded his two-year career at DSU with his first-ever All-GSC Academic Team honor.  The computer information systems major, who carries a 3.67 GPA, averaged 4.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season for the Statesmen. 

Joining Spencer and Pirshin on the West Division's team were Arkansas Tech guard Brandon Friedel, Christian Brothers forwards Kevin Doran and Connor Wetzel, and Harding guard Stephen Blake.

Alabama-Huntsville leads the way on the East Division Men's Basketball All-Academic Team, placing four of the five selections. Three returning members lead the way: UAH guard's Derek Johnston and Josh Yost and West Florida forward Max Hoggard. Completing the team are two more Chargers: guard Josh Magette and forward Elliot Jones. Magette garnered All-GSC Second Team laurels this season and was also selected to the 2010 GSC All-Tournament Team.

The Statesmen also placed Chad Akins (3.12/HPER) and Brent Stokes (3.85/Business) on the All-GSC Academic Honor Roll

The Winter All-Academic Team is selected by the Gulf South Conference Sports Information Directors (SIDs) and Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) in a joint vote. Nominees must meet all three of the following qualifications to appear on the ballot: 1) an overall grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.20 or better on a 4.00 scale for their entire academic career, 2) a starter or significant contributor to the squad, and 3) leadership, academic curriculum and community service. SIDs and FARs are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes. Freshman are not eligible, nor is any student who has not spent a full year in residence at the sponsoring GSC member and passed 24 semester hours or 36 quarter-hours towards an identifiable degree program during the year at that GSC member. The number of student-athletes selected in each sport is determined by the number of positions normally involved in the playing of that sport. Ties are not broken.