AUSTIN, Texas – Capping off an outstanding junior season, Heidelberg University outfielder Derek Hug has been named a Capital One Academic All-American, as released on Tuesday. The Bryan High School product was named to the third team, making him the second Academic All-American in Heidelberg Baseball history. Aaron Fischer was the other Student Prince to earn this distinction and was named a first team Academic All-American after the 2000 season.
Hug has been outstanding on and off the field for The Student Princes, carrying a 3.55 GPA as a biology major while earning All-American honors for two straight years. His work in the classroom has also garnered Academic All-OAC honors each of the past two seasons.
"I am so thankful to be named an Academic All-American and it is a tremendous honor," said Hug. "I am blessed to have a fantastic support system around me. My family, coaches, and teammates support and enable me to successfully balance athletics and my academics. I couldn't do it without them and their continued support. It's a testament to them."
His on the field performance has gathered numerous postseason awards as well. Hug was named a second team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association while being named a third team All-American by D3baseball.com. This was his second consecutive season earning All-American honors, as he was selected to the third team after his sophomore campaign by D3baseball.com.
Hug displayed a rare combination of power and speed throughout the season and led the OAC with 13 home runs and 21 stolen bases. The junior batted .376 on the year with 70 hits, 11 doubles, three triples and 45 runs driven in.
"Obviously it's a great honor for Derek, the first 'Berg baseball player to get this since 2000, and he's very deserving. He's always been a great student in the classroom and it's great to see him finally get recognized for what he does on the field and in the classroom as well," said Heidelberg head coach Chad Fitzgerald. "He's always taken on a lot of responsibilities, not just within the team, but on campus, being a multi-sport guy and being involved on campus as well. I think he just sets a great example on what you have to do off the field in order to be successful on the field."
Heidelberg ended their 2015 season with a 33-14 record and was ranked 14th in the final D3baseball.com Top 25 poll. The Student Princes won the OAC regular-season title and earned a bid to the NCAA regionals for the seventh time in school history.
This was the release for Hug's Academic All-America award in 2015
