CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - In Calvin Bini's mind, 2010 wasn't his best season individually, but at season's end coaches across the NAIA found him to be one of the top defenders in the nation. Bini, a senior defensive back from Radcliff, Ky., was named to the American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) NAIA All-America Team on Tuesday.

He becomes only the third Fighting Tiger to be named an NAIA All-America First Team selection, following the path of defensive lineman Demetrius Forney in 2001 and running back Greg Fountain in 2008. He joins Fountain as the only other player to receive the honor while playing for head coach Perry Thomas.

"This means a lot to me. It's what you work for - to become the best at what you do, and the All-American title is that you're the best at what you do in your field," Bini said. "Obviously, I'd take a championship ring over an All-America award."

After playing at two different schools, Bini came to Campbellsville in 2008 as a redshirt transfer. He stepped foot on the field with the Tigers for the first time in 2009 and helped lead CU to back-to-back 7-win seasons for the first time since 2001. The Tigers narrowly missed the NAIA playoffs by finishing second in the Mid-South Conference East Division, but advanced to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Victory Bowl for the first time in school history.

During the 2010 season, Bini became the Tigers' all-time punt returner with 55 career punt returns in two seasons. After setting the single-season record for punt return yards in 2009, Bini fell short of the career record after teams refused to kick to him following a 58-yard touchdown return against Pikeville in early October.

On defense, Bini recorded 47 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass break ups as a senior, numbers slightly lower than his 2009 season - a year he should have been named All-American, according to Thomas. In addition to the stats, Bini recorded two memorable game-saving plays at CU. In 2009, he tipped away a potential game-tying touchdown against Georgetown as time expired and in 2010, he secured Campbellsville's homecoming victory over Faulkner University by blocking a potential game-winning field goal with 18 seconds left.

"Calvin is very deserving of this honor. I thought he should have been All-American last year also," Thomas said."He has the ability to take away opponents' best receiver and basically cutting off one side of the field in the passing game. He is also a very strong run supporter. We will miss Calvin as a player and a leader/mentor on our team."

During his time at CU, he has also been named a NCCAA All-American in 2009, a two-time All-Mid-South Conference East Division defensive back and was named the All-MSC East kick returner in 2009. While Bini appreciates all of the on the field accolades, the one that he is most proud of is being named the Mid-South Conference East Division Champion of Character in 2009.

"I take a lot of pride in that one. Everyone can perform on the football field, but it takes a different man to perform with the core Christian values that award is for," said Bini, who went on to be nominated for the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team prior to the 2010 season.

Bini is scheduled to graduate in May and is pursuing a career in pro football.

HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Watch Calvin Bini's highlight video: http://bit.ly.cbini19