RUSTON - Louisiana Tech senior defensive lineman Brandon Avance was named as a first team member of the 2002 Verizon Academic All-District VI team announced Thursday.

Avance earned the award for his work on the football field as well as in the classroom. The Rowlett, Texas, native has started all nine games for the Bulldogs this season while recording 37 tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack on the year.

In the classroom, the finance major has recorded a 3.35 grade point average during his Louisiana Tech academic career while being named a Western Athletic Conference All-Academic member last year. Avance is also a member of a number of national honor societies.