CLEVELAND, Ohio--North Dakota State University seniors, strong safety Kyle Belmont and quarterback Nick Mertens, were among the 55 winners of the 12th annual Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team were announced by the FCS Athletics Directors Association on Friday. There were 86 total nominees.

The winners were announced at the Football Championship Subdivision football championship in Chattanooga, Tenn. Belmont and Mertens become the sixth and seventh NDSU players named to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star team joining offensive tackle Tim Popowski (2005), linebacker Kole Zimmerman (2005), strong safety Craig Dahl (2006), and two-time selections, wide receiver Kole Heckendorf (2007-08) and running back Tyler Roehl (2007-08).

Belmont, a 5-foot-10 1/2, 196-pound graduate student from Battle Lake, Minn. (Otter Tail Central H.S.), graduated with a bachelor's degree in pyschology in May 2009 with a 3.70 GPA. He is currently pursuing his MBA.

Belmont started in 22 of 33 games played during career including 11 starts in 2009. He was third on team with 52 tackles including 30 solos, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Belmont had one interception and three pass breakups. He was named to the 2009 CoSIDA Academic All-District VII first team, 2009 MVFC All-Academic second team, and recipient of the MVFC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award in 2008-09.

Mertens, a 6-foot-1, 222-pound senior from East Grand Forks, Minn. (East Grand Forks H.S.), has a 3.79 GPA and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in management and marketing.

Mertens started in 7 of 9 games played this season. He completed 106 of 197 passes for 1,348 yards, nine TDs and eight interceptions. Mertens rushed 67 times for 173 yards and four TDs. His 95-yard TD pass to Gary Williams was the longest reception in NDSU history.

Mertens ranked 5th at NDSU with 268 completions. He completed 29 of 44 passes for 308 yards -- all career-highs -- in loss to UNI. Mertens was one of 37 FCS semifinalists for NFF William V. Campbell Trophy. He named to the 2009 and 2008 MVFC All-Academic second team, and a recipient of the MVFC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award.

"The FCS ADA looks forward to honoring outstanding student-athletes each year, which culminates with the annual academic all-star team announcement," said FCS ADA President Peter Fields, chair of the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team Selection Committee and athletics director at Montana State University. "These football players that represent the true meaning of the word student-athlete and we are proud of their accomplishments both in the classroom and on the field."

Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision institutions are eligible for these prestigious awards. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. He must have reached his second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. He must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.

Additionally, from the Academic All-Star team, six finalists were selected for the Ninth Annual FCS ADA's $5,000 postgraduate scholarship. Two student-athletes will receive postgraduate scholarships during the Association's annual membership meeting held in conjunction with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention, being held at the Marriott Hotel in Anaheim, Calif., June 22-25, 2010.

The finalists are Josh Cain, Jacksonville State University, defensive back, 3.89; Beau Hadley, Weber State University, defensive back, 4.00; Brandon Hellevang, University of North Dakota, kicker/punter, 4.00; Josh Mahoney, University of Northern Iowa, linebacker, 4.00; Andrew Miller, University of North Dakota, linebacker, 4.00; and Chris Rocco, Liberty University, defensive back, 3.98.

A special Review Committee of Football Championship Subdivision athletics directors was responsible for selecting the all-star team and scholarship finalists. Completing this task were Greg Burke, Northwestern State; Peter Fields, Montana State (chair); Brian Hutchinson, Morehead State; Marilyn McNeil, Monmouth; Ron Strollo, Youngstown State; Jeff Tingey, Idaho State; and Tim Van Alstine, Western Illinois.

For a complete listing of the 55 members of the Football Championship Subdivision Academic All-Star Team, click here.

About the FCS ADA: Now in its 17th year, the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football. For more information on the FCS ADA, please visit www.fcsada.com.  The FCS ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 45th year. For more information on NACDA and the 11 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.