Fifteen EC Football Players Named NACC Scholar-Athletes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference recognized 15 Eureka College football players as scholar-athletes for the 2021-22 academic year on Tuesday.

The Red Devils' NACC Scholar-Athletes included Steven Bartkus (Seneca, Ill./Seneca), Chandler Boyd (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia), Brendan Durr (Washington, Ill./Washington), Nathan Garard (Gibson City, Ill./Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley), Carson Gregory (Pekin, Ill./Pekin), Corbin Heiken (El Paso, Ill./El Paso-Gridley), Austin Hopkins (Arcola, Ill./Arcola), Ried Morrell (Moweaqua, Ill./Central A&M), Chase Parkinson (Lacon, Ill./Midland), Wyatt Perkins (Trivoli, Ill./Farmington Central), Austin Swiech (Fairbury, Ill./Prairie Central), Lukas Tinkham (Abingdon, Ill./Abingdon-Avon), Gabe Townsend (Winamac, Ind./Winamac), Garrett Wayne (Clinton, Ill./Clinton) and Ben Wright (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington).

The NACC recognized more than 2,000 full-time student-athletes as scholar-athletes for the 2021-22 academic year. Student-athletes competing in the conference must maintain a grade point average of 3.25 or higher for the academic year to be eligible for the honor. Each academic year stands by itself for determination of this award.

Eureka is an associate member of the NACC and competes in the conference in football only. The Red Devils' 15 honorees this year is three more than last season and nearly three times as many two years ago.

Bartkus, who emerged as a reliable freshman kicker for the Red Devils last season, is studying secondary education for a teacher's license. Boyd, a senior fullback last season, was a criminal justice major. Durr, a junior linebacker last season, is studying digital media and design. Garard, who is studying secondary education and English literature, was the Red Devils' starting quarterback until recurring injuries ended his playing career early. Gregory, a sophomore defensive lineman last season, is a psychology major.

Heiken, the Red Devils' four-year starting center, majored in criminal justice and business administration and graduated with a 4.0. Hopkins, a sophomore who played linebacker and defensive back last season, is a business administration and environmental science major.

Morrell, a senior offensive lineman last season, majored in criminal justice/sociology and art. Parkinson, a senior offensive lineman last year, majored in criminal justice/sociology and kinesiology/athletic training. Perkins, a freshman linebacker last season, is majoring in business administration, and Swiech, a freshman wide receiver last season, is a kinesiology/athletic training major.

Tinkham, a business administration major, became the Red Devils' starting quarterback midway through the season last year. Townsend, a sophomore running back last season, is an accounting major.

Wayne, a sophomore defensive back last fall, is a chemistry major, and Wright, a junior defensive lineman, is a communication major.

Heiken is Eureka's first four-time NACC All-Academic honoree. Boyd, Durr and Garard became three-time honorees, while Gregory, Hopkins, Tinkham and Townsend were honored for the second straight year.