Youngstown State senior linebacker Dom Rich and former Penguin defensive tackle Nick DeKraker were named recipients of the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Presidents Academic Award, the conference announced on Tuesday.

Eleven current and former Penguins will receive the Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award - Rich, Kurt Hess, Nate Adams, Jordan Markota, Eric Myers, Torrian Pace, Antoine Cox and Steve Zaborsky are the current Penguins honored while former players are DeKraker, Andrew Radakovich and Will Shaw.

YSU had 38 current and former Penguins named to the MVFC's Academic Honor Roll.

The President's Council Academic Excellence Award requires a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade-point average (through fall 2012 semester) and participation in athletics a minimum of two years. The student-athlete must be within 18 hours of graduation.

Also, 122 student-athletes received the league's Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award, which requires a minimum GPA of 3.2 for the previous two semesters (freshmen are not eligible).

In addition, the Missouri Valley Football Conference has announced its 2012-13 Honor Roll, which recognizes academic achievement of student-athletes. To qualify for the Honor Roll, a student-athlete must have recorded a minimum 3.0 grade point average for a specified term (Fall 2012), must have been a member of an athletics team, and must have a minimum of 12 hours of enrollment during the fall.

PRESIDENTS ACADEMIC AWARD - Dom Rich; Nick DeKraker.

COMMISSIONER'S ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD - Nate Adams; Antoine Cox; Nick DeKraker; Kurt Hess; Jordan Markota; Eric Myers; Torrian Pace; Andrew Radakovich; Dom Rich; Will Shaw; Steve Zaborsky.

HONOR ROLL - Nate Adams; David Brown; Nick Buonavolonta; Tyler Carter; Julius Childs; Jeff Clegg; Dylan Colucci; Antoine Cox; Donald D'Alesio; Nick DeKraker; Ricardo Dixon; Justin Getz; Mason Giacomelli; Dan Graziano; Fred Herdman; Kurt Hess; Tyler Hogan; Terry Johnson; Emmanual Kromah; Nick Liste; David Main; Jordan Markota; Johnny Medina; David Moss; Eric Myers; Dante Nania; Torrian Pace; Andrew Radakovich; Davon Reed; Dom Rich; Carson Sharbaugh; Will Shaw; Aronde Stanton; Trevor Strickland; Michael Wheary; Andrew Williams; Deionte Williams; Steve Zaborsky.