UT's France, Tuminello Academic All-Americans

12/11/2001

University of Toledo kicker Todd France and offensive lineman Chris Tuminello were named yesterday to the 2001 Verizon Academic All-America Football Team, selected by college sports information directors.

A first-team selection, France, a senior from Springfield High School, also earned second-team Academic All-America honors in 2000. He holds a 3.968 grade-point average in mechanical engineering and was a finalist for the Anson Mount Scholar-Athlete Award as the nation's top scholar athlete.

A three-time nominee for the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top kicker, France made the All-MAC all four seasons at UT. He was honorable mention this season, first-team in 2000, second-team in 1999 and honorable mention in 1998. He is the all-time MAC scoring leader for kickers with 320 points. He also set the Toledo record with a 55-yard field goal vs. Western Michigan.

Tuminello, a junior from Boardman, Ohio, was named to the second team. He has a 3.899 GPA in civil engineering and played in 11 games at offensive guard, starting nine, and also served as the team's long snapper and back-up center.