MORRIS, Minn. - Christian Diederich, a senior offensive lineman from Murdock, Minn., has represented University of Minnesota Morris football over the past four years both in the classroom and on the field. Earlier this week, Diederich was recognized on the national stage for his incredible academic performance over the past four years as a recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. 

Diederich boasts an impressive 3.692 GPA, and will graduate this spring with a major in History and a minor in French. After graduation, he plans to pursue either a Masters or a Doctorate degree in Public History or Historical Preservation, and has a passion for pursuing historical preservation with the National Park system. 

Diederich has spent time conducting Undergraduate Research as a student at Minnesota Morris, presenting his topic of "African Orality as Ignored History" at the Summer Research Showcase, the COPLAC Undergraduate Research Conference, the National Council of Undergraduate Research, and the McNair Scholar and Undergraduate Research Conference. 

In his time wearing a Cougar jersey, Diederich has represented Minnesota Morris within the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference as a four time member of the Academic All-Conference team, as well as being named as a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recipient in his three years of eligibility for the award. His name has appeared on the Minnesota Morris Dean's List five times and he has earned a place as a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honors Society. He has also been awarded the Ted & Judith Underwood Award in History.

Diederich also holds a long list of credentials for his athletic performance over the past four years, including First Team All-UMAC (x4), D3Football.com First and Third Team All-Region 6, and UMAC Lineman of the Year. 

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded to up to 126 graduating student-athletes from all athletic divisions. The scholarships are distributed three times annually, with 42 recipients being honored in the fall, winter, and spring seasons.