Oct. 30, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Danielle Blair, a junior defender on the UAB women's soccer team, has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV women's soccer first team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). This marks the second consecutive season that Blair has been named to the Academic All-District team, having been selected to the third team a season ago.

"We are really excited for Danielle to receive this award," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "It's a huge honor to not only be recognized as one of the best athletes, but also one of the best students in the nation. This is what college soccer is all about."

Blair, a native of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, is in her third season starting at defender for the Blazers. She has played in a total of 50 games during her career, earning a spot in the starting lineup on 43 of those contests.

Along with being a vital part of the Blazers' defensive efforts over the past three seasons, she has also contributed one goal and one assist.

In the classroom, Blair has maintained a perfect 4.0 and has been named to UAB's President's List every semester during her career. She also earned a spot on the Conference USA Honor Roll, as well as the league's Academic Medal of Honor, for the past two years.

Blair is one of six UAB women's soccer players that have been named to a CoSIDA Academic All-District team in program history.