FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

National Football Foundation Press Release

May 13, 2013 - North Central College student-athletes Nick Kukuc, Joey Michals, Joe Orozco, Alex Pirela, Austin Sadnick and Adam Trybula have been selected as members of the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society Class of 2013.

The Hampshire Honor Society, part of the NFF's effort to recognize academic and athletic success, is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who have maintained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or better during their collegiate football careers. A total of 703 players from 259 schools qualified for membership in the society's seventh year.

Of this year's honorees, 297 came from 90 different NCAA Division III institutions. North Central's six selections match Augustana College for the highest delegation from a College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) institution. Also among this year's selections is one player from Wheaton College. North Central ranked 10th in Division III in terms of the number of players selected.

Kukuc, a physical education major, rushed for a North Central record 1,451 yards this season in his third year as a starter at running back. He finished his career last fall as the Cardinals' all-time leader in all-purpose yards (4,832), points scored (288) and touchdowns (48) while ranking second in rushing yards (3,730) and rushing touchdowns (44). He was a two-time First Team All-CCIW selection and was a Third Team All-North Region pick as a senior.

Michals, an English major and a three-year starter at linebacker, led North Central with 79 tackles this season, including 11.5 tackles for loss. He finished his career ranked fifth all-time with 240 tackles and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. He was a two-time All-CCIW selection, earning First Team honors this season when he was also a Third Team All-North Region honoree.

Orozco, an exercise science major, returned from injury to play in 11 of the Cardinals' 12 games this season on the defensive line, while Pirela, a social science major, returned from a midseason injury to start at outside linebacker the final three games of the season and Sadnick, a marketing major, saw significant playing time at tight end and on special teams before a season-ending injury. Trybula, also a marketing major, started 11 games at left guard for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals (9-3, 6-1 CCIW) won their seventh consecutive CCIW title and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship for the seventh time in 2012. They finished the 2012 campaign ranked seventh by D3football.com and 10th by the American Football Coaches Association. North Central opens the 2013 season Saturday, Sept. 14 at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.