Cronin named to academic all-district team

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Simpson football player Mark Cronin earned a spot on the 2012 Capital One Academic All-District ® Football First Team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, as announced on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

A senior linebacker from Holstein, Iowa, Cronin owns a 3.90 cumulative GPA while majoring in economics and accounting. Cronin – a team captain – leads the Storm with 58 tackles on the season, adding two sacks, five pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Cronin lands on the Academic All-District team for the second time in his career, adding to his selection in 2011. Earlier this year, Cronin was named as a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's William V Campbell Trophy for the best scholar-athlete in the country. He was a second-team all-conference linebacker last season and USA Football News honored him as a preseason All-American this year.

During his academic career, Cronin has been named to the President's List (4.0) three times and the Dean's List (3.7) twice. Last year he won the award for the Most Outstanding Junior in the accounting department at Simpson.

Joining Cronin on the 25-man District 8 team were eight other Iowa Conference representatives: Wyatt Hanus (Dubuque), Miles Hookstead (Dubuque), John Hill (Buena Vista), Tyson Carter (Dubuque), Michael Donnelly (Loras), Nick Plueger (Buena Vista), Obi Ukabiala (Luther) and Stephen Vassalotti (Dubuque).

Complete Capital One Academic All-District ® Football Teams (pdf)

As a first team selection, Cronin advances to the Capital One Academic All‐America ® Team ballot, where first‐, second‐ and third‐team All‐America honorees will be selected later this month.

Cronin and the Storm are currently 5-4 on the year and close their season Saturday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. when they host Luther at Buxton Stadium.