Cornerback Torey Asao Named CoSIDA Academic All-District

St. Peter, Minn. – Gustavus Adolphus senior football player Tory Asao (Chaska, Minn.) has been named to the 2013 Academic All-District Football Team for District Six.  Asao – two-year starting cornerback for the Golden Gusties – makes his second consecutive appearance on the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team after earning the honor last season as a junior.

“Very deserving for Torey,” said Head Coach Peter Haugen.  “He has done an outstanding job both on and off the field.  His work in the classroom and his leadership on the team makes him the total package.  Torey is the embodiment of the student-athlete.  He is everything we talk about in the Division III model – a young man who is a leader, is exceptional on the field, and is committed to his work in the classroom.”

The 2013‐14 Capital One Academic All‐District Football Teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, recognize the nation’s top student‐athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.

The Academic All‐District teams are divided into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada. This is the second year of the expanded Academic All‐America program as CoSIDA moved from recognizing a University Division (Division I) and a College Division (all non Division I) and has doubled the number of scholar‐athletes honored. The expanded teams include NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III participants, while the College Division Academic All‐America Team combines NAIA, Canadian and two‐year schools.

Torey Asao has started at cornerback in all eight of Gustavus’s games this season.  Asao has tallied 32 total tackles and ranks second on the team with 22 solo tackles.  Against the pass, the Chaska, Minn. product has intercepted four passes to go along with four pass breakups and seven passes defended.

Asao is a member of a Gustavus secondary that ranks second in the league in aerial defense.  The Gusties are allowing an average of 178.6 yards per game through the air and have picked off a league-high 13 passes.  On four occasions this season, Gustavus limited its opponent to 150 yards passing or less, including a game in which the Black and Gold held the MIAC’s top passing offense in Augsburg to just 100 yards through the air on Sept. 21.

A staple member of defensive coordinator Corey Shea’s secondary and a two-time captain, Asao has made 18 straight starts at corner.  Over the past two seasons, Asao has recorded 76 tackles (50 solo), six interceptions, and seven pass breakups.

“At times when you think of two-year captains you might think of guys who are very vocal and outspoken – that’s not Torey,” said Haugen about his senior captain’s leadership qualities.  “Torey is a quiet encourager who has done a tremendous job leading our team by example.  To be honored as a captain twice speaks volumes for the respect both his teammates and coaches have for him.”

A biology major with a cumulative grade point average of 3.74, Torey is a dedicated volunteer who is heavily involved in numerous activities.  He has served as a volunteer at the Mayo Clinic Emergency Department and Ridgeview Volunteer System off campus, and also dedicates his time to Study Buddies, the Special Olympics, and the Feed My Starving Children program on campus.  Asao represents the football team on the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), is a three-year member of the Student Athlete Volunteer Educators (S.A.V.E), is deeply involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and is the acting Co-President of the Inter-Greek Senate as a member of Tau Psi Omega (REDS).

“I always joke with Torey and ask him how he has the time do be involved in all these things on and off campus,” laughed Haugen.  “Torey is so unique because he takes on all these opportunities and excels at all of them.  He takes athletics, academics, and service head on and brings excellence to each one.  To be able to function at the high level in all those areas sets a great example for our young players – he’s a true teammate and mentor.”

Asao is one of 13 student-athletes from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) to earn CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.   Torey is joined by Bethel’s J.D. Melhorn as one of the four defensive backs selected to the District Six Team.

First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All-America Team ballot, where first, second and third team All- America honorees will be selected later this month.

CoSIDA Release