CHONKO NAMED FIRST TEAM ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

Senior Recognized for Hard Work on and off the Field

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (November 18, 2009)—Hampden-Sydney senior defenseman Brett Chonko (Farmville, VA/Prince Edward) has been named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America® men's soccer First Team.  The team was voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), and follows Chonko's selection to the Academic All-District First Team last month.  He has excelled both in the classroom and on the field, where he was one of the anchors to a Tigers' defense that allowed just 12 goals in 20 games.  

This is Chonko's first selection to the All-America Team.  The English major from Farmville, VA carries a 3.82 grade point average and will graduate this spring.  Chonko has been a stalwart on the Tigers' back line over the past four seasons, appearing in 61 games with 50 starts.  He has been rock solid on defense, frustrating opposing offenses time and again with his stout play.  This season, Chonko added goal scoring to his repertoire, finding the back of the net four times, including the game-winner earlier this season against Wesley.  He also added a career-best 2 assists in the Tigers' win over Guilford. 

Chonko was one of the senior leaders of the best soccer team in Hampden-Sydney history this past season.  The Tigers set new program records for wins (16), ODAC wins (8), and shutouts (11).  The defense's 12 goals allowed was by far the best mark in the ODAC, and the 11 shutouts were good enough for second in the league.

The selection of Chonko as a First Team Academic All-American is a testament to his hard work and leadership that have helped to transform Hampden-Sydney into a perennial ODAC contender

    -www.hsc.edu/athletics-