Junior right tackle Joe Berger (pronounced Bur-jur) of the Michigan Tech football team has been named to the 2003 Daktronics All-America Second Team. Berger owns a 3.73 cumulative grade point average in mechanical engineering.

The Newaygo, Mich., native was the anchor of a Tech offensive line that finished 16th in the nation in rushing (223.8 yards per game) and first in the GLIAC in sacks allowed (eight). He started all 10 games, averaged five pancake blocks per game and did not allow a sack all season.

“This is a special honor for Joe and our entire football program,” said head coach Bernie Anderson, who completed his 17th season in 2003. “He’s a big part of our team and we look forward to his continued leadership on and off the field next year.”

Berger is the first Michigan Tech football All-American since linebacker Tyler Kunz earned Don Hansen’s Football Gazette Third Team honors in 1993.

The 6-5, 250-pound Berger advanced to the national ballot after being selected to the Daktronics All-Northeast Region First Team. He was one of just four offensive tackles and 10 overall offensive linemen to be named All-American. The Daktronics teams are nominated and voted on by the nation’s NCAA Division II sports information directors.

Berger has been honored with several other awards in 2003, including GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-Region First Team, Don Hansen’s Football Gazette All-Region First Team, GLIAC All-Academic Team and MTU Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Of the 51 players named 2003 Daktronics All-American, there were 36 seniors, 11 juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen . . . A total of 151 NCAA Division II institutions sponsor football.