FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

National Football Foundation Press Release

May 7, 2010 - North Central College student-athletes Zach Baldacci, Nick Smith and Dominic Sulo have been selected as members of the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society Class of 2010.

The Hampshire Honor Society, part of the NFF's effort to recognize academic and athletic success, is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who have maintained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or better during their collegiate football careers. A total of 620 players from 246 institutions qualified for membership in the society's fourth year, an 80 percent increase from the inaugural class of 2007.

Baldacci, Smith and Sulo are all four-year members of the North Central College football program. Baldacci has started at offensive tackle the past two seasons, blocking for college football's highest-scoring offense and earning Second Team All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin honors this past season.

Smith, a linebacker, finished with 14 tackles, two quarterback sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery during his senior season, and has been an Academic All-CCIW selection the past two seasons.

Sulo wrapped up a four-year career on the gridiron this fall that saw him emerge as the school record holder in points (284) and touchdowns (47) and rank second all-time in rushing yards (3,697). A three-time First Team All-CCIW and All-North Region selection, he is the first North Central player to rush for at least 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. He has been an Academic All-CCIW selection the last two seasons.

The trio are among 11 CCIW student-athletes to qualify for the Hampshire Honor Society, joining five players from Augustana College and three from North Park University.

The Cardinals went 8-2 in 2009, winning their fourth consecutive CCIW Championship and leading all Divisions of the NCAA in scoring at 49.0 points per game.