NEW ORLEANS, LA--Matthew Elliott, a May 2008 graduate who qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships  in the1500 meter run, has been named to  the men's 2008 Division I All-Academic Track and Field team by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. . A record total of 266 student-athletes representing 111 Division I institutions  made up the men's 2008 All-Academic team.

Elliott, a native of Green Sea, SC, compiled a perfect 4.0 grade point average while majoring in physical education and was among seven male track and field athletes from four Big South Conference schools who earned the All-Academic Team distinction.

The Winthrop middle distance runner, who had a NCAA National Championships qualifying fourth place finish in the  at the NCAA East Regional at Florida State University, also holds the school record in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:45.07.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met either the NCAA Division I Indoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard or the NCAA Division I Outdoor regional or national qualifying standard in their respective event.