Saint John's University

CoSIDA Release

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John’s University senior defensive lineman Nick Gunderson (Woodbury, Minn.) was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America college division second team Tuesday, Nov. 24.

SJU has now had at least one Academic All-American each of the past six seasons.

An accounting major with a 3.53 GPA, Gunderson is a two-time All-American and two-time All-MIAC selection. He returned to the playing field this fall after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the 2008 season opener, only to injure the ACL in his other knee this season. Gunderson played through the injury and finished third on the team in tackles for loss (6.5), fourth in sacks (2.5) and sixth in total tackles (33). He ended his decorated career tied for sixth in school history with 41.5 tackles for loss and seventh with 22 sacks.

SJU ended the 2009 season with an 8-0 record in the MIAC and a 10-1 overall record. The Johnnies earned their MIAC-record 31st conference championship, the 27th under the direction of Gagliardi, and made their 24th postseason appearance (and 11th in the past 12 seasons). Gagliardi ended his record 61st season with a 471-126-11 (.784) career record and a 447-120-10 (.783) record in 57 seasons at SJU.