Pair of Crusader Men's Soccer Players Named Academic All-League
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Pair of Crusader Men's Soccer Players Named Academic All-League
Ken Perkins earned his first career Academic All-League honor. (Ray Acevedo)
Junior defender Ken Perkins (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) and redshirt junior goalkeeper Ryan Schwarz (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic) were named to the Horizon League Men’s Soccer Academic All-League Team, as released by the league office today.

Perkins appeared in all 19 games on the back line for the Crusaders in 2009, starting on 16 occasions.  The junior tied for team-high honors with four assists on the year, giving him seven helpers through his first three seasons.

In the classroom, Perkins carries a 3.810 GPA as a finance major.  It is the first career Academic All-League honor for Perkins, who has been named to the Dean’s List and earned Presidential academic honors during his time at Valpo, while also being named to the league’s Academic Honor Roll both semesters last year.

Schwarz earned the second league Goalkeeper of the Year honor of his career after playing every second in goal for the Crusaders in 2009.  The redshirt junior, who also was a First Team All-League honoree, set new Valpo single-season records for wins (10), shutouts (7) and goals against average (1.07).

In the classroom, Schwarz holds a 3.666 GPA as a finance major.  It is the second career Academic All-League honor for Schwarz, who was a CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine First Team Academic All-District V accolades this year.  The redshirt junior has been listed on the league’s Academic Honor Roll all four semesters Valpo has been a league member, while also earning Dean’s List recognition and Presidential academic honors during his time at Valpo.

To be eligible for Academic All-League selection, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and have completed at least one year at the member institution, having earned 24 semester-hour credits.