Basketball Swedes named NAIA Scholar-Athletes

Bethany College women's basketball player Alex DeLong and men's basketball players Jason Mihalcin and Haydon Parks have been named 2012 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes. In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status to qualify for this honor.

DeLong is a junior guard from Admire, Kan. She is the daughter of Darryl and Breiana DeLong and is majoring in art teaching with a concentration in ceramics.

Mihalcin is a 6-foot-6 junior forward from Arvada, Colo. He is the son of Michael and Janet Mihalcin and is majoring in mathematics with a minor in physics.

Head Men's Basketball Coach Clair Oleen says, "Jason Mihalcin's grade point average at Bethany is really impressive when you consider the level of courses that he has mastered. On the basketball floor Jason is always one of our hardest workers, one of our most unselfish players,and one of our most enjoyable players to coach. As a result,he has improved immensely in his three years at Bethany, and his best is yet to come."

Parks is a 6-foot-7 senior forward from Osage City, Kan. He is the son of Duane and Christine Parks and is majoring in health and physical education teaching.

"Haydon Parks has been an outstanding student as he prepares to become a health and physical education teacher and coach," says Oleen. "His dedication to preparing to become a teacher is going to lead him to an outstanding career in the education field. On the court Haydon tied for the conference lead in recorded double doubles (points and rebounds) through the regular season."

To view the KCAC women's list of Daktronics-NAIA Basketball Scholar-Athletes click hereand for the men's list click here.

DeLong Mihalcin Parks