Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
2020-2021 CoSIDA NCAA Division III Academic All-America Football Teams
July 14, 2021 - North Central College football student-athletes
Jake Beesley and
Ben Wong have been awarded selections to the 2020-2021 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 major, Wong is an Academic All-America honoree for the second straight season. He currently ranks 12th in North Central history in career tackles (173) and made a team-high 89 stops during the 2019 campaign, which saw the Cardinals post a 14-1 overall record and claim their first NCAA Division III national championship. Wong earned First Team All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) selection in 2019 and is a three-time Academic All-CCIW honoree.
A senior double major in finance and accounting, Beesley ranks 11th all-time at North Central in pass breakups (19) and 12th in passes defended (26). He ranked second in the CCIW in forced fumbles (3), third in passes defended (15) and fourth in interceptions (4) in 2019, earning First Team All-CCIW and All-North Region honors as well as a First Team All-America selection by the Associated Press and a Third Team All-America nod from D3football.com. Also a three-time Academic All-Conference pick, Beesley was one of North Central's CCIW Jack Swartz Academic All-Conference selection following the 2019 fall semester.
North Central student-athletes have received a total of 40 CoSIDA Academic All-America awards, six of which have been achieved by members of the football program. A total of five CCIW players received Academic All-America honors this season.
The Cardinals open the 2021 season on Saturday, Sept. 11, hosting Aurora University. Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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