Four Western Illinois University student-athletes were awarded spots on the 2003 Gateway Academic All-Conference Football Team, taking four of the 12 positions on the First Team. Western's Perry Cox and Russ Michna were the only two members of the 23-man list to earn a perfect 4.0 grade point average.In addition to sophomore offensive lineman Cox (Management major) and senior quarterback Michna (MBA), junior placekicker Justin Langan (3.59 GPA, Pre-Med/Biology) and senior linebacker Lee Russell (3.06 GPA, Biology) were also named to the first team. Sophomore wide receiver and return specialist Reggie Gray was named to the honorable mention list.Thirty-three student-athletes made up the list, which was selected by the league's sports information directors. Nominees must be starters or important reserves with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale). Student-athletes must have reached sophomore academic and athletic standing at their institutions (freshmen are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at their institution.