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

NFF Press Release

Apr. 27, 2016 - The North Central College football program has placed eight individuals in the 2016 induction class for the National Football Foundation's (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society. The foundation released this year's honorees Wednesday.

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 record total of 868 players from 275 schools qualified for membership in the society's 10th year.

Of this year's honorees, 375 came from 82 different NCAA Division III institutions. North Central's eight selections include linebackers Cris Chacon, Kevin Schroeder and Al Willett, tight end Kolton Kuczynski, running back Matt Randolph, defensive backs Brett O'Kane and Richard Zirngibl, and kicker/punter Dom Zavaglia. The Cardinals rank 11th among Division III institutions and 17th in all of college football for the most representatives from a single team.

A three-year starter at safety, Zirngibl collected First Team All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) and Third Team D3football.com All-North Region honors this season. He was selected to participate in the Tazon de Estrellas All-Star Game in Mexico and was North Central's CCIW Jack Swartz Academic All-Conference honoree for the fall season. Zavaglia was a First Team All-CCIW pick in 2014 and earned College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District honors this past season.

Schroeder started all 10 games this season and ranked fifth on the team in tackles, while Kuczynski was a two-year starter who saw time at tackle and tight end as a senior. Randolph rushed for 1,002 career yards and ranks 11th in North Central's history in rushing touchdowns (19) and total touchdowns (21). Willett was a two-time CCIW Special Teams Player of the Week, Chacon served as one of the Cardinals' team captains, and O'Kane was a regular contributor to the Cardinals' special teams units.

A total of 17 players from CCIW institutions made this year's induction class. Augustana College has eight inductees and Carthage College has one.

The Cardinals concluded the 2015 campaign with an overall record of 7-3 and a 6-1 mark in CCIW play. The 2016 season is scheduled to begin Saturday, Sept. 3 at Robert Morris University-Chicago, and North Central's home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 10 against Webber International University (Florida).