BROOKFIELD, Ill. – University of Minnesota Crookston football player Rod Stewart (Jr., WR, Fort Worth, Texas) was announced as a 2017 Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America Honorable Mention pick Thurs., March 22 by the Don Hansen Football Committee. Stewart was selected as a return specialist after leading the NSIC in kickoff returns with 28.3 yards per return.

Stewart is the first player for the Minnesota Crookston football program to earn post-season all-american honors since R.J. Rollins was an Honorable Mention All-America pick in 2004. Stewart is the eighth player in the program's history as a four-year institution to earn All-American honors joining Rollins, Justin Schreiber (2002), Mark Olsonawski (1996, 1997, 1998), Jeremy Kvien (1998), Jason Lindquist (1997), Cory Schreifels (1996, 1997) and Derrick Sanders (1995).

Stewart was an All-NSIC North First Team pick as a return specialist and All-NSIC Second Team selection as a wide receiver in 2017. He was also a Don Hansen All-Super Region Three Second Team pick as a return specialist. Stewart led the league in all-purpose yardage and was second in the conference in kick return average with 28.3 yards per return. Stewart ended the season 18^th in the nation for kickoff returns. The highlight of the season for Stewart came on a 94-yard kickoff return to pay dirt against Minnesota State University Moorhead. He also returns of 55 yards, 43 yards and 42 yards on the season. Stewart also had a great season as a wide receiver, as he notched 47 catches for 63 yards and five touchdowns. He continues to move up the charts for Minnesota Crookston. Stewart is fourth all-time for receptions with 115. He needs 21 to surpass Carl Aho for third next season. He is also fourth for receiving yards with 1,478 yards. Stewart needs 152 yards to surpass Mark Olsonawski for third for receiving yards.

Luis Perez of Texas A&M-Commerce was named Offensive Player of the Year, Marcus Martin of Slippery Rock garnered Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Deonte Harris of Assumption was named Special Teams Player of the Year, while Austin Ryan of Bentley was Freshman of the Year. Pete Shinnick of West Florida and Paul Tortorella of Indiana (Pa.) were named Co-Coaches of the Year.

The Don Hansen team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at age 75 on Aug. 29, 2010. Hansen, from Brookfield, Ill., started and published Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette for three decades, selecting NCAA Division II All-America teams for the first time in 1988. Don Hansen's Football Gazette began selecting Division II All-Region squads in 2003.