DOBSON — The National Junior College Athletic Association has named Surry Community College’s Michael Radford as an Academic All-American. Radford played two seasons of baseball while posting an overall grade point average of 3.63.

“Michael is a very dedicated student and baseball player,” Surry coach Jamie Lowe said. “This is an extremely prestigious award and he is most deserving.”

Radford was one of only two North Carolina Community College student-athletes to earn Academic All-American honors.

Primarily a second baseman, Radford also saw playing time at shortstop, left field and right field for the Knights.

“Michael was a very versatile player for us,” Lowe said. “Playing a variety of positions made him very important for our team.”

A native of Princeton, North Carolina, Radford graduated this spring with an Associate in Arts degree while earning the Male Student-Athlete of the Year award. He also guided the Knights to a fourth place finish in Region X tournament in each of his two seasons. Prior to attending Surry, Radford helped lead Princeton High School to the 2007 1A State Championship.

“Michael is an excellent leader both on the field and in the classroom,” Surry athletic director Mark Tucker said. “This award is a testament to our entire college, and we are very proud of this great accomplishment.”

Radford becomes the fifth Surry student-athlete to be named an Academic All-American in the past two years and the sixth baseball player to earn the honor.

“It really speaks volumes to see students balance academics and athletics so successfully,” Tucker said.

In order to receive Academic All-American honors, students must compile a grade-point average above a 3.60 while participating in an NJCAA certified sport. Recipients of the esteemed award will be featured in an upcoming issue of the NJCAA publication, JUCO Review.