Indiana University Athletics
Parker, Crosier Earn Academic Honors
5/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 12, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Seniors Ryan Parker and Clint Crosier garnered College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/ESPN The Magazine first team Academic All-District V honors for their work on not only the baseball field but in the classroom as well. Crosier was one of two pitchers selected to the first team, while Parker was the lone utility/DH representative.
Despite battling Hodsgkin's Lymphoma, Parker has seen action in 21 games with seven starts this season for the Hoosiers. The Hilliard, Ohio native has been sparkling in the field, not committing an error in 75 fielding opportunities.
"Ryan has faced adversity that none of us could imagine, battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma," Indiana head coach Tracy Smith said. "He carried his extremely high GPA through the treatments, all the while still getting it done with the baseball team. It just shows the amount of character and perseverance that he has. He is one of the most deserving kids I have ever been around."
Crosier has started eight games for the Hoosiers. The Corydon, Ind., native recorded a pair of victories, two complete games and an ERA of 4.06. In his 12 appearances, he has thrown 51 innings and struck out 29 batters.
"With Clint, I think it is one of the neatest success stories in terms of his career at IU," Smith said. "He made it up through the walk-on ranks and was cut from the team three times. He has always excelled in the classroom and has taken it very serious. To match his character to get to where he is on the baseball field and in the classroom, I couldn't be more proud of Clint. He is more than deserving of this honor."
Crosier and Parker carded the two highest GPAs on the all-district team. Both players will now move on to the national ballot, where they will be candidates for Academic All-America honors. Crosier is a sport marking and management major, while Parker majored in business management.
It marks the fourth straight season a Hoosier baseball player has made the all-district team. In 2003, former pitcher Jacob Cary earned a spot on the squad, while Parker has been tabbed all-district each of the last two seasons. In 2004 and 2005, Parker garnered first team Academic All-America laurels, becoming the first Hoosier to earn the distinction twice in a career.
The Hoosiers will host Illinois on Saturday, May 13, for the opening game of the final Big Ten home series of the season. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Sembower Field. The series will continue with a doubleheader on Sunday, May 14, starting at 1 p.m., while the finale is set for Monday, May 15.
