PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Junior attack Devin McNamara (Lutherville, Md.) was recognized for his achievements both on and off the field during the 2016 season when he was named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team in an announcement on Wednesday morning. McNamara was voted onto the team by the sports information directors of the Philadelphia area colleges and universities.

This is the seventh time in the last eight years that the men's lacrosse team has had at least one player earn selection to the Academic All-Area squad. McNamara was one of the Wildcats top offensive performers in 2016 and earned second team All-BIG EAST accolades following the conclusion of the regular season.

Student-athletes are eligible for Academic All-Area consideration by being a significant contributor to their teams while also maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher. McNamara is a double major in Finance and Accounting in the Villanova School of Business, and has been named to each of the last two BIG EAST All-Academic Teams.

Villanova tallied a 9-5 record in 2016 and reached its highest-ever national ranking during the season when the team landed at No. 6 in the USILA Coaches Poll for the week of March 14. McNamara was one of the key contributors to a high-powered Wildcats offense and ranked second on the team with 30 goals, 19 assists and 49 points. His 49 points are tied for 11th among the team's all-time single-season leaders.

McNamara has played in 28 career games for Villanova and has totaled 48 goals, 27 assists and 75 points to go along with 143 shots and 33 ground balls.

The rest of the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Men's Lacrosse Team included Chris Blewitt (Saint Joseph's), Marc Bushong (Gwynedd Mercy), Eric Caliendo (Haverford), Alex Dambach (Chestnut Hill), Tyler Gehlhaus (Eastern), Ethan Heisman (Cabrini), Marc LaVine (Widener), Cam Marsh (Swarthmore), Brian Neff (Ursinus), Pat Swanick (Saint Joseph's) and Tim Taylor (Widener). Bushong was voted the Academic All-Area Performer of the Year.