Alma, Mich. – Senior defensive end Terry Calagon (Jackson, Mich./East Jackson) has been named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the league office announced today (Monday, Nov. 16).
Calagon, the Scots’ career leader in sacks and tackles for loss, is the first Alma College player to earn Defensive MVP honors since the MIAA began honoring offensive and defensive most valuable players in 1984. In addition, he is also the first Alma defensive player to be named the league’s MVP since Rick Johnson in 1972.
“Terry being the MIAA Defensive MVP is the mindset when I took over four years ago. I’ve always been a defensive guy, that’s my background, and to build a championship starts with defense,” said Head Coach Greg Pscodna. “Alma had been known for its offense and we needed to try to change our identity and become a better defensive team, and Terry that upon himself to make himself a better defensive player. I saw that from him in high school and that’s why we brought him here to Alma. Terry took it from there, and with his hard work and dedication in the offseason and being a great leader, the other MIAA coaches saw that.”
Calagon finished the season with 94 tackles, including a school-record 19.5 tackles for loss to go along with 10 sacks, and ranks 14th among active players in NCAA Division III with 288 career stops. He led the MIAA in tackles for loss and tackles by a defensive lineman.
“This means a lot to me,” said Calagon. “It means more that we were able to get wins while doing it. Last year I was first-team all-conference, but this year the big difference is being .500 for the first time since 2009 and that’s means a lot.”