Earning respect does not come easy in college football.

After Monday’s All-MAC selections were announced by commissioner Rick Cryst, NIU is well on its way to gaining some.

The Huskies placed seven players on the team, tying Toledo and Western Michigan for second most in the conference.

Marshall’s Thundering Herd led the MAC with 15 selections.

Returning to the first team for the second time, was running back Thomas Hammock. The junior finished the season with 1,096 yards, marking the second straight year he has eclipsed the 1,000 yard barrier.

The Ft. Wayne, Ind., native has 11 career 100 yard rushing games and finished the season ranked fourth in the conference.

Hammock joins Ohio punter Dave Zastudil, Toledo running back Chester Taylor, Marshall linebacker Max Yates and Western Michigan defensive end Anthony Allsbury as repeat first-team selections.

Also making the first-team offensive unit was placekicker Steve Azar. Azar, who yesterday was named co-Special Teams Player of the Year in the conference, set a school record with 20 field goals this season. The sophomore ranked second in the country in field goals per game with 1.82. Azar also was selected as a national semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award given annually to the nation’s top placekicker.

On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Vince Thompson was the lone Huskie first-team selection. The junior ranked first in the conference with five interceptions and 17 passes defended. Thompson also ranks 14th in the NCAA in interceptions per game (.50) and returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

As a seasoned veteran on this year’s offensive line, Tim Vincent made his first appearance on the All-MAC roster. Vincent has 27 starts and 29 appearances as a Huskie in his career.

Senior wide receiver Darrell Hill joined Vincent as a first time selection. The play maker for NIU’s offense finished the season strong, grabbing 23 balls for 596 yards in the seasons last five games.

As a sophomore, Akil Grant rounded out the second team selections for the Huskies.

Grant finished third on the team and eighth in the MAC in tackles with 114. Grant also had eight pass deflections and one interception.

Linebacker Larry Williams notched honorable mention accolades this season after making the first team squad last year. Williams led the Huskies in tackles this season and finished fourth in the conference with 122 total stops.

In 16 MAC seasons, this year marks the fourth most selections NIU has recorded. The Huskies put 10 players on the team in the 1983 season and had eight players on the squad in 1980 and 2000.