FULL ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA TEAM
AUSTIN, Texas – One of the most impressive streaks across all of NCAA Division III baseball was extended Tuesday afternoon courtesy of Otterbein University junior
Luke Barber, who landed first team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Barber, helping compile a group of 33 student-athletes across the country to be selected, represented the Cardinals as one of just 11 on the heralded first team. He was the only Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) player to make the list, as nominations included career statistics this time around due to COVID-19 cutting spring season short.
"Luke embodies everything that a student-athlete is," head coach
George Powell said. "It starts with who he is as a person, how he leads teammates by example and then being arguably one of the best players that will ever come through the program. He has the ability to play at a higher level but also personifies what it means to excel in Division III. Whenever we need something to happen, he is usually in the middle of it."
Barber (Gahanna/St. Francis DeSales) now extends Otterbein's incredible stretch to seven-consecutive years with at least one Academic All-America selection, and eight overall in the span, marking the nation's longest streak since NCAA Division III became its own section back in 2011-12. (MIT is currently right behind with an active streak of six years, while no other school even has five) Even more impressively for Otterbein, the recent stretch includes eight DIFFERENT players.
"I am honored to be part of this streak and help continue the excellence of our entire program," said Barber, carrying a near-perfect 3.98 GPA in mechanical engineering. "It's awesome to be selected but this award doesn't just represent a singular person. It speaks to the hard work we put in as a team when nobody is watching, and then turning that hard work into results when people do watch."
A standout first baseman, Barber has started 92 career games while spearheading consecutive OAC championship and NCAA qualifying teams. He is a 2x All-OAC selection, holds a career .352 batting average, 92 RBI and 19 home runs in just under two and a half seasons. He led the league with nine round trippers as a sophomore and already had four this past spring, when he drove in 18 runs in 13 outings.
"This streak isn't just eight rarities," said Barber, who has two more years of eligibility. "There have been a lot of talented players and great students in this program, competing for positive coaches that stress accountability and responsibility. It's not a coincidence this has happened seven years in a row. Our latest season may have gotten cut short, but we were locked in again and ready to roll. I think this award helps reflect that even though we didn't play a full schedule."
Barber has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and Nationwide Children's Hospital, participated in St. Jude and VsCancer fundraisers, gained work experience at Worthington Industries, made the Dean's List every semester, been a 2x Academic All-OAC performer, served as a supplemental instructor for a first-year engineering course and is currently a mechanical design intern at Xigent Automation Systems.
"We structure recruiting to try and bring in the right kids, looking at talent but also focusing heavily on what you do as a student and person," Powell added. "Our university deserves credit, but I am also proud of our individual program for working hard to not compromise one for the other. As coaches, we rarely have to worry when they leave the field. I couldn't foresee this type of award streak, but our kids have remained sharp no matter the circumstances."
"It was always school first growing up," added Barber. "I wasn't allowed to play sports if the classroom wasn't handled. Getting older, I've realized the importance of just doing the best you can and letting results take care of themselves. If I prepare the right way and stay in position to give myself the best shot, then I can live with wherever the baseball lands or the grades settle."
Senior outfielder Derek Manning (Elizabethtown), a computer engineering major, was voted the 2020 Academic All-America Player of the Year. A returning All-American and Landmark Conference POY, he becomes a 3x Academic All-America pick after graduating with a career batting average of .430 and a perfect 4.00 in the classroom.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution and be nominated by their sports information director.
OTTERBEIN AAA Streak:
2014 – Billy Harkenrider (LF)
2015 – Ty Compton (DH)
2016 – Tyler Kent (CF)
2017 –
Caleb Norton (P) and
Bryan Stopar (DH)
2018 –
Justin Feltner (C)
2019 –
Tim Snyder (CF)
2020 –
Luke Barber (1B)
Â