Springfield, Mo. -- On the eve of Missouri State’s season finale versus Drake, junior forward Cole Alexander has been named to the Capital One Academic All-District ® men’s soccer team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Thursday (Nov. 1). As an honoree for District VI, the Bears’ leading scorer is now eligible for the Capital One Academic All-America ® ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.

Alexander, who is majoring in advertising & promotion, currently sports a 3.75 grade point average. The 2011 MVC Scholar-Athlete honorable mention selection has excelled on the field this season as he leads the team in goals (3), points (6), shots (30), shots on goal (12) and game-winners (1). He has started 11 matches this season, while playing in 14 of the Bears’ 16 matches. Off the field, Alexander served as the athlete liaison for Missouri State’s Living Our Legacy game on November 2.

While this is Alexander’s first-ever CoSIDA academic award, it marks the fourth year in-a-row that a Missouri State men’s soccer player has garnered CoSIDA Academic All-District ® honors. Last season, seniors Thomas Vania and Heath Melugin were named to the All-District first team and Melugin capped off a season full of awards with a first-team Academic All-America ® accolade.