Austin Mennen named Academic All-American

Senior Austin Mennen spends just as much time studying as he does playing football.

It’s not everyday that a Cedar Falls student gets named to an All-American team. Junior Ross Pierschbacher has done it multiple times at Cedar Falls. Now, senior Austin Mennen is getting his shot. Mennen has been named to the All-Academic FBU International All-Star team. He will play in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 5.

“I’m so excited for everything with the trip. It’s going to be a lot of fun to play in the Alamodome in front of thousands while being televised on NBC,” Mennen said.

Mennen’s 3.6 GPA and 29 on the ACT helped catch the attention of the FBU scouts. Mennen also stood out at numerous camps over the summer. “Mennen first caught our FBU instructors’ eyes at FBU Wisconsin. He then carried over a great performance to Top Gun.

He is a big, physical fullback/tight end that gets it done in the classroom as well as on the field,” said Erik Richards, FBU National Director of Scouting.

The 6’2” 210 lb. FB/TE is a converted center. Although, Mennen says the transition wasn’t too tough. “It was actually pretty easy. I picked it up and just went with it,” Mennen said.

Austin Mennen (26) and Jake Buck celebrate a touchdown.

Mennen found out he had been selected when he received a Facebook message from Don Britt, the Regional Manager. The next day Mennen awoke to a phone call from the director of the All-American games telling him he had officially been selected to the USA All-Star team. “The FBU International All-Stars are being selected not only for their outstanding performance on the field, but also for their accomplishments and dedication in the classroom,” FBU said in an official press release.

Austin Mennen makes a catch against Xavier.

Mennen is one of 30 players  to make the USA All-Star team, and the only player from Iowa to be a finalist. There were over 1,000 nominees for the USA team. “I feel honored to not only represent my school and state, but also my country and the game of football,” Mennen said.