University Park, Pa. — Guard Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville) has been selected Penn State’s 95th first team All-American.
The senior standout was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team, the first All-America squad to be announced for the 2010 campaign. The AFCA has selected an All-America team annually since 1945.
Big Ten institutions placed six players on the 2010 AFCA All-America Team, the most of any conference.
A starter in 37 of the last 38 games, Wisniewski is the 81st Penn State football student-athlete to earn first team All-America recognition, a total of 95 times, dating back to W.T. (Mother) Dunn’s selection to the Walter Camp All-America squad in 1906.
Wisniewski is the Nittany Lions’ 78th first team All-American under Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno. Penn State has had at least one All-American in 40 of his 45 years as head coach, with nine first team All-America honorees in the past six seasons.
Wisniewski becomes the 11th Nittany Lion offensive lineman to earn first team All-America accolades since 1966, a group that includes his uncle, Steve Wisniewski, who was so honored in 1987 and ’88. Stefen Wisniewski’s father, Leo, was a standout defensive lineman for Penn State from 1978-81.
Wisniewski is among the most distinguished Penn State Football student-athletes in the program’s 124-year history. Last week, he became the first Nittany Lion to be selected a three-time ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-American, repeating his first team honors from 2009. He finished second in balloting for the 2010 Academic All-American of the Year in college football.
"It’s been a dream of mine ever since I came to Penn State to try and put forth the effort it would take to be considered for All-American," said Wisniewski. "All the glory goes to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for he has carried me through during my career at Penn State."
The former Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School standout is the first Nittany Lion to earn first team All-America and Academic All-America® accolades in the same season since another former Western Pennsylvania standout, linebacker Paul Posluszny (2005 and ’06).
A 2010 pre-season All-American, Wisniewski has started every game this season at right guard, after starting all 13 games at center in 2009. He has been instrumental in the Nittany Lions allowing only 12 sacks all season, good for No 2 in the Big Ten and No. 15 nationally.
A 2009 first team All-Big Ten selection, Wisniewski is enrolled in the Schreyer Honors College, has a 3.91 grade point average in secondary education and is on schedule to graduate in December.
Wisniewski has earned four additional prominent athletic/academic/community service honors this fall:
– National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete ($18,000 post-graduate scholarship). Finalist for William V. Campbell Trophy.
– Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
– Among 10 finalists for Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for college football
– Among 10 finalists for Wuerffel Trophy
Penn State is awaiting its bowl destination and opponent and may have an opportunity to play in its 25th New Year’s bowl under Paterno, who is the all-time leader in bowl victories (24) and appearances (36). All bowl selections will be announced the night of Sunday, Dec. 5.
