By Mitch Blankespoor

Kalamazoo College senior guard Mark Ghafari has been named to the 2013-14 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/Capital One Academic All-America First Team. Joining Ghafari on the first team is Richie Bonney of Hobart (N.Y.), John Coleman of Clarkston (N.Y.), Brad Ford of Nazareth (N.Y.), and Dane Jobst of Worcester State (Mass.).

"There couldn't be a more deserving student-athlete to receive this recognition," Kalamazoo Head Coach Eric Dougal said. "Mark [Ghafari] is a tremendous student, an exciting basketball player, and an even better teammate. I am extremely proud of him for this accomplishment."

A member of the CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America Third Team a season ago, Ghafari averages 23.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season. The Grosse Pointe Shores native is a four-year member of the men's basketball program including three of those years as a team captain. Ghafari holds numerous Kalamazoo College records including the single-game record for most free throws attempted (24), most free throws made (23), and most consecutive free throws made (18).

Ghafari also sits eighth on Kalamazoo's all-time scoring list and for his efforts this season, the University Liggett alumnus has been named Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Player of the Week three times in this his senior year.

In the classroom, Ghafari carries a 3.78 cumulative grade-point average with a major in Economics. Ghafari's Senior Individualized Project is titled, "The Economic Impacts of Hosting the Summer Olympics."

Ghafari plans to graduate in May of 2014 and has already accepted a job with Eaton Corporation.

"This is not only a great honor for Mark [Ghafari], but a great honor for our program," said Dougal. "It shows our players what can happen if you have championship level commitment in the classroom and on the basketball court."

Ghafari will play his final home game Wednesday, Feb. 19 against Hope with the regular season finale scheduled for Feb. 22 at Alma.