RICHMOND, Ky. – Senior football player Derek Hardman was named first team All-American by the Associated Press on Wednesday. Hardman, a starter on Eastern Kentucky University’s offensive line the last four years, was one of just two Ohio Valley Conference players to earn this honor.

Hardman, a native of Spencer, W.Va., started 46 consecutive games on the Colonel offensive line. The two-time first team All-OVC player made the move from right tackle to left tackle before the start of the 2008 season. As a senior, Hardman graded out at over 80 percent in every game. He was also named to the All-OVC newcomer team as a redshirt freshman in 2006.

Hardman was inducted into EKU’s Chi Alpha Sigma National Athletic Honor Society in 2007 and earned the OVC Medal of Honor for a 4.0 GPA in 2008-09. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Dec. 2008 and is now taking classes towards a master’s degree in business administration.