Bucknell University Athletics
Senior Kevin Eiben Taken as the 26th Overall Pick in the Canadian Football League Draft
5/4/2001 8:00:00 AM | Football
May 4, 2001
LEWISBURG, Pa. --- Bucknell University senior free safety Kevin Eiben (Delta, British Columbia/Vancouver College) was taken as the 26th overall pick in the 2001 Canadian Football League Draft held last Thursday (April 26). Eiben, an American Football Coaches Association and Associated Press All-American, is the first Bison player to be taken in the CFL draft under head coach Tom Gadd's six-year reign at Bucknell.
Eiben will take his talents to the Toronto Argonauts, the very same team his older brother L.J. once played for. Toronto selected Eiben as their second pick in the draft which came in the fourth round. "He's a versatile athlete who can play many positions," commented Argonauts' Director of Canadian College Scouting Nick Volpe.
The 6'0," 205-pound senior, who was presented with the Lewisburg Touchdown Club Award (MVP) 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.
Following the season, the native of Delta, British Columbia was tabbed an American Football Coaches Association All-American, a second team Associated Press Division I-AA All-American, a first team All-Patriot League selection, a first team ECAC All-Star, the Patriot League's Scholar-Athlete, and the team's MVP.
Eiben was also honored for his academic achievements when he was selected to the Verizon Academic All-District 2 First Team and named the Patriot League's Scholar-Athlete for football. At the Bucknell Senior Recognition Dinner, he was honored as the school's outstanding male senior athlete with the Christy Mathewson Award, and also received the Albert E. Humphreys Award as the top two-sport athlete (plays left field on the baseball team).
Eiben will report to camp in early June. The Argonauts open their 2001 schedule with a preseason game at home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 22.
For more information on Bucknell athletics, visit www.BucknellBison.com
