ELMHURST — Erik Westerberg returned home on break from Augustana College last week to observe classes at his alma mater, York Community High School, and to talk with some of the teachers that inspired his decision to study education and math. But perhaps the most familiar face he saw was his own, staring down from a large billboard promoting his college on North Avenue.

"It was a pretty unique experience," he said. "I'm just humbled by it. My family, my teachers and coaches and friends helped me get up there for sure. It was a cool experience, but I'm not going to look too much into it."

Westerberg is the Augustana football team's starting middle linebacker, team captain and was named an Academic All-American this year for the second time. To be considered for the Academic All-American honor, student athletes must have a grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, and have played in at least 50 percent of their team's games, among other qualifications.