Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
2021-2022 CoSIDA Academic All-America Football Teams
Dec. 16, 2021 - North Central College football student-athletes
Ben Wong and
Jake Beesley have been awarded selections to the 2021-2022 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) NCAA Division III Academic All-America First Team in recognition of their continued adherence to the highest standards of excellence in academics as well as athletics.
The pair became eligible for the All-America ballot by virtue of their selections last month to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 Team, which includes all Division III institutions in the states of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Nominees must carry a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 and have achieved at least sophomore academic and athletic standing. The teams are then selected through a vote by CoSIDA's membership, which is comprised of more than 3,000 sports information and athletic communication professionals throughout the United States and Canada.
A senior neuroscience graduate and MBA student, Wong is an Academic All-America honoree for the third straight season, becoming the first North Central athlete in any sport to be so honored three times. He is the Cardinals' second-leading tackler (58) this season and currently ranks ninth in North Central history in career tackles (233). Wong earned First Team All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) selections the last two seasons as well.
A senior double major in finance and accounting, Beesley ranks second all-time at North Central in pass breakups (36) and passes defended (44). He ranks second in the CCIW and 20th in the nation in passes defended per game (1.4) this season while ranking second nationally in pass breakups (17).. An Academic All-District and Academic All-America selection during the 2020-2021 academic year as well, Beesley earned First Team All-America honors from the Associated Press and Third Team All-America accolades from D3football.com as well as North Central's CCIW Jack Swartz Academic All-Conference award in 2019.
Ranked No. 1 nationally, the Cardinals (13-0) take on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) in the Division III national championship game, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The game will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio and will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
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