Bucknell University Athletics
Kevin Eiben Named Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete for 2000 Season
12/13/2000 7:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 13, 2000
LEWISBURG, PA - Bucknell University senior free safety Kevin Eiben (Delta, British Columbia/Vancouver College) was named as the Patriot League's Scholar-Athlete recipient in the sport of football for the 2000 season.
Since the league's inception in 1990-91, Eiben is the 79th Bucknell student-athlete to be named Patriot League Scholar-Athlete - more than double the next closest institution in the conference.
In order to be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete award a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore and carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or better, and must be a starter or key reserve on his/her team. A panel of athletic administrators comprised of the Patriot League staff and each institution's director of athletic communications selects the winners. The recipients are eligible for the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor awarded at the conclusion of the academic calendar.
The 6'0," 205-pound senior, who was one of 25 players in Div. I-AA selected to the AFCA All-America team after a record-setting year for the Orange and Blue, led the Patriot League and ranked seventh in the nation with eight interceptions (0.73/g). Eiben piled up 150 return yards on his interceptions to set a Bucknell single-season record, and tied another when he picked off four passes against Duquesne early in the season. That accomplishment also earned him a place in the Patriot League record book and an appearance on ESPN's Thursday Night Football "Hidden Video" segment. He finished second on the team with 78 tackles (44 unassisted) and led the squad with 10 pass breakups.
In addition, Eiben had an outstanding season as the league's top punt returner. He returned 30 punts for 366 yards, an average of 12.2 yards per return, to rank 15th in Division I-AA. In the process he set Bucknell single-season and career punt return marks with 366 and 626 yards, respectively, and set a Bison career record with 51 punt returns. He had his best punt return performance when he returned seven punts for 126 yards at Towson, setting a Patriot League single-game mark.
Eiben, who was a first team All-Patriot League selection and the team's MVP, was also honored for his academic achievements when he was selected to the Verizon Academic All-District 2 First Team. He carries a 3.23 grade-point average as a management major at Bucknell, and is a member of the Dean's List and the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. He is the fourth Bucknell football player to earn the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete honor. David Berardinelli (1991-92) and Rob Glus (1993-94) each won the award twice during their careers at Bucknell, and Bill Farthing was a co-winner in 1989.
