Lewis Receives Prestigious Honor
Named an AFCA NAIA All-American 
(December 10, 2007) - The 2007 AFCA NAIA Coaches' All-America Team was announced today by the American Football Coaches Association. Urbana University defensive end Shawn Lewis (Aberdeen, Md.) became the Blue Knights' football player to be selected as an AFCA All-American. Lewis is one of four juniors to make the 25-member squad.
“This honor is another step in the right direction for Blue Knight football. People are taking notice that this is a quality program with quality student-athletes,” said Urbana head coach Tim Place. “The coaches in the MSFA voted for the top 25 players in the conference and Shawn was ranked as the best defensive player.”
In just two seasons, Lewis has registered 21.0 career sacks, second behind Urbana career record holder and NAIA all-American Vince Scalmato who had 22.0. Lewis had 11 sacks this season, which was second in the MSFA and tied for 14th in the NAIA, behind teammate Travis Brisco. The duo helped lead Urbana to an MSFA-best 44 sacks for a loss of 293 yards (3rd in the NAIA). Lewis registered a team-high 23 TFL, tied for the most in the MSFA, and led the MSFA in forced fumbles with five, which was second in NAIA during the regular season. He lead Urbana's rush defense which allowed just 95.8 rushing yards a game, second best in the MSFA and 13th in the NAIA).
“To accomplish what he did in the MSFA says a lot about his ability,” said Place. “Shawn is very gifted. God has given him an unbelievable amount of talent. That, along with the 10 other men on the defensive unit, doing their jobs, put him in the position to achieve.”
Lewis was third on the team in QB hurries with six and totaled 84 tackles, including 48 solos. He was named Blue Knight most outstanding defensive player of the game in Urbana's 27-21 double overtime win against West Virginia Tech (09/01/07) when he registered 12 tackles, including nine solo, and he added a sack which forced the fumble that led to a 77-yard return for the game-winning touchdown. He was also named Urbana's most outstanding defensive player of the game in Urbana's 45-13 win over St. Francis, Ill. (09/22/07) when he registered seven solo tackles, had four TFL and three sacks for minus 17 yards.
Selection Process
The AFCA's NAIA All-America Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA's nine districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the team is chosen.
