St. Peter, Minn. – Gustavus Adolphus College football player Torey Asao (Sr., Chaska, Minn.) has been named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-America Division III Football Second Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Asao, a senior cornerback, is a biology major with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.74. He is one of four defensive backs to land on this year’s second team and is the 98th selection from Gustavus to be honored with Academic All-America distinction.
“I can’t say enough good things about Torey,” admitted Head Coach Peter Haugen. “You talk about Torey, you talk about what Division III is all about in terms of excellence in the classroom, on the field, in leadership, and in service. He exemplifies everything that we value in a student-athlete and a person who is engaged in the college experience.”
Asao was most recently named to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) All-Conference Second Team in recognition of his play on the field. The senior started all 10 games in the Gustavus secondary this season, leading the team with four interceptions and finishing second among defensive backs with 41 tackles (30 solo). On top of his four picks, he also defended six passes, which ranked second on the team. Asao was an integral piece to a passing defense that allowed 197.6 yards per game and intercepted 16 passes, while allowing 17 touchdowns.
Starting 20 straight games over the past two seasons, Asao played in 30 games over his collegiate career. He intercepted seven passes, recorded 99 tackles (69 solo), and broke up nine passes in his tenure on the hill.
Along with his success on the field, Torey has also excelled in the community. Asao is a volunteer for Special Olympics and Study Buddies, while also being heavily involved on campus. He is a member of a number of student-led organizations including Student Athlete Volunteer Educators (SAVE), Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), Tau Psi Omega fraternity (REDS), and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He also serves as Co-President of the Inter-Greek Senate at Gustavus.
After being named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team for District Six the past two seasons, Torey earns his first Academic All-America honor his senior year. He is one of five players from the MIAC to land on this year’s Second Team. Others receiving recognition from the conference include Saint John’s offensive lineman Kevin Battis (3.8, Economics), Augsburg offensive lineman Chad Thompson (3.86, Finance and Accounting), Bethel defensive back J.D. Melhorn (3.95, Biokinetics and Physics), and Augsburg defensive lineman Chris DeVet (3.75, Chemistry).
“Torey is a terrific leader, a respected captain, teammate, and player,” finished Haugen. “I just can’t say enough about what he has meant to our program. He has really been an incredible mentor to our young players in how you conduct yourself and how you go about each day with his work ethic both on and off the field.”
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.
Asao is the first Gustavus football player to earn Academic All-America honors since fellow defensive back Brad Kruckeberg did so in the 2011 season.