David Vobora continued to add to his list of accolades and achievements Monday as he was honored with the Stan Bates Award ? the highest academic honor bestowed by the Western Athletic Conference.

Vobora, now with the St. Louis Rams, graduated last spring as a Communications and Psychology major. He is the third successive Vandal to earn the prestigious award.

Vobora was the WAC's top tackler and one of the best in the nation during his junior and senior seasons. He earned the same high marks in the classroom as a four-time academic all-WAC honoree as well as being a member of the ESPN the Magazine All-District Academic Team. He was a two-year team captain and served three terms on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He recently was honored as a member of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Hampshire Honor Society, which recognizes “superior academic performance and excellence in intercollegiate football.”

As a senior at Idaho, Vobora also volunteered for the Race for the Cure and Relay For Life, and served as a volunteer teacher at West Park Elementary in its Extended Reading Program.

The WAC annually gives the Stan Bates award to the top male and top female student-athlete. It is named after former WAC commissioner Stan Bates.