ITHACA, N.Y. – Sophomore linebacker Aleck Hobson and sophomore kicker/punter Jim Speights of Northwest Community College have been named to the 2015 Capital One Academic All-District 1 Football First Team as voted upon by more than 3,000 members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The Ranger duo marks the seventh and eighth selections in football for Northwest and the 16th and 17th overall selections in school history. Five football players earned academic all-district honors during the 2012 season.

A native of Ripley, Hobson has maintained a 3.94 GPA while studying pre-medicine. He was named to the President's List for both of his freshman terms and is a two-year member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. On the field, Hobson has totaled 18 tackles in two seasons and has played in 21 games, primarily on special teams.

In two years, Speights has maintained a 3.88 GPA while studying general college. The Brandon native is a two-year member of Phi Theta Kappa and made the President's List in both of his freshman terms. Speights is a two-time All-MACJC performer and is one of the nation's leaders in FGs made, attempted and points scored as well as punt average this season.

The Academic All-District 1 Team is made up of student-athletes from the NAIA, Canadian and 2-year ranks. 

To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

All-America honors will be announced on Monday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m.

Previous Academic All-District selections: 
2012 - Morgan Taylor (wsoc), Nathan Smith (msoc), Linsey Hebert (sb), Hillari Plummer (sb), Kyle Blount (bb), Jeremy Massie (bb), Bradley Noland (bb), Austin Douglas (fb), Cor'tez Hibbler (fb), Danterrius Young (fb), Chase Carpenter (fb), J.D. Fondon (fb); 2014 - Hannah Switzer (wten), Kyle Morgan (fb); 2015 - Janie Turner (sb).