Whitmore, Dampeer Named All-GAC

Two members of the 2011 Arkansas Tech University football team have been selected to the All-Great American Conference honor squad.

Senior A.J. Whitmore of Nashville (photographed, left) was named first team All-GAC as both a wide receiver and as a kick return specialist.

Junior Roland Dampeer of Mendenhall, Miss., (photographed, right) was named first team All-GAC at defensive end.

Whitmore made 46 receptions for 521 yards in his only season as a Wonder Boy. A transfer from the University of Tulsa, Whitmore ranked third in the GAC in receptions per game (4.6) and seventh in the league in receiving yards per game (52.1) this year.

But perhaps what Whitmore will be most remembered for during his brief time at Arkansas Tech was his work on kickoff returns. He averaged 26.0 yards per kickoff return — third-best in the GAC — and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns — the most on record in a single season at Arkansas Tech — in 2011.

Whitmore led the GAC in all-purpose yards (120.7 per game) in the league’s inaugural season.

Dampeer ranked among the conference leaders in quarterback sacks (T-3rd, 6.0) and tackles for a loss (T-12th, 9.5). He was credited with 23 total tackles, five quarterback hurries and one blocked kick this season.

Dampeer’s best game of the season came on Homecoming, when he made three quarterback sacks and four tackles for a loss to help the Wonder Boys defeat Southeastern Oklahoma State 28-16.

Arkansas Tech completed the 2011 football season with an overall record of 2-8 and a GAC mark of 1-4.

The Wonder Boys have won 18 conference championships and accumulated 526 wins — 10th-most in NCAA Division II — during their 97-season history.

Click here to learn more about Arkansas Tech football.

Click here to read the complete release from the league office concerning the 2011 All-GAC football team.

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