UMC's Krdzalic Earns NCAA Division II Degree-Completion Award

CROOKSTON, Minn. – University of Minnesota, Crookston men’s basketball player Almir Krdzalic (Sr., G, Sioux Falls, S.D.), who exhausted his eligibility at the conclusion of the 2012-13 season, has been awarded the Division II Degree-Completion Award by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

“I feel blessed to be chosen for this award,” said Krdzalic. “This award means the world to me. It tells me that hard work and dedication does pay off in the long run and it’s a blessing to achieve such an award.”

The NCAA established the Division II Degree-Completion Award Program in 2001 to provide deserving student-athletes with financial assistance for them to complete their first baccalaureate degree. Candidates for the award must be students who have exhausted their athletics eligibility and have received athletics financial aid. Those chosen for the award exhibit high performance in the classroom. Other factors considered are financial circumstances, athletic achievement and involvement in campus and community activities.

To date, over $3 million has been given to approximately 830 deserving student-athletes. Of those student-athletes who have received the award since its inception, 94 percent have earned their undergraduate degree using the Degree-Completion Award program.

Krdzalic was a three-year member of the Golden Eagle men’s basketball team who transferred from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C. Originally from Tesanj, Bosnia, Krdzalic and his family moved to Sioux Falls, S.D. when he was young. The former UMC point guard amassed 551 points and 277 assists in three seasons. Krdzalic is also an outstanding student in the classroom as he currently holds a 3.67 GPA in biology and was named UMC’s Outstanding Male Student-Athlete of the Year in addition to being an NSIC Winter All-Academic recipient. Krdzalic will finish up his undergraduate degree at UMC next year before pursuing graduate school to become a physician’s assistant.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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