Hope College football player Kirby Crook has been chosen as one of 25 members of the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America ® Division III Football Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
The senior defensive back from Beech Grove, Indiana (Beech Grove HS), is one of 21 out of 49 honorees who maintain a 3.90 grade point average or higher. Crook, a management major, carries a 3.96 GPA.
Crook is Hope’s second CoSIDA Academic All-American in a row. Quarterback Michael Atwell received the distinction in 2013.
Hope coach Dean Kreps said he has not had a player more deserving of the Academic All-American recognition than Crook.
“Kirby truly exemplifies what Hope College Football is all about,” Kreps said. “He is a great student, great athlete and most of all a great person. Kirby has been stellar on the field as well as off. He led the MIAA in interceptions per game. He was also second in the MIAA in passes defended. This is a well-deserved honor for a great young man.”
Crook led the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association with seven interceptions during the 2014 season. He tied for 10th in NCAA Division III.
Crook tied for second-most, single-season interceptions all-time at Hope with Randy Ames (1996) and Kelly Clark (1991).
Crook was picked an All-MIAA First Team Defensive Back this season by the league’s coaches. He finished sixth on the Flying Dutchmen with 49 tackles.
Crook’s 16 career interceptions also are tied for second all-time at Hope with Troy Blasius (2004-07).
The 25 members of the Capital One Academic All-America ® Division III football first team maintain an average G.P.A of 3.88.
The Capital One Division III Academic All-America ® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure, to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2013-14 Division III Academic All-America ® teams program.