ELLENDALE — A former New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva High School football player has received a post-graduate scholarship from the NCAA for his academic success.

He was among only 29 athletes in the nation at all levels of competition to receive the award. He will receive $7,500 to put toward his education.

Brad Kruckeberg is slated to graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter on May 27 with a pre-medicine degree in biology. He graduated from NRHEG in 2008.

At Gustavus, the Ellendale native earned a 3.88 grade-point average and was named Second Team All-Conference as a defensive back for the second straight year.

“Brad’s work both in the classroom and on the field have been remarkable,” said Gustavus football coach Peter Haugen. “His passion for excellence is contagious and his actions have served as an inspiration to both our players and staff.”

Kruckeberg is known as “Kruck” among his teammates. The senior captain ranked second on the team this past season for tackles with 48 (26 solo, 22 assisted) and picked off a team-high two passes. He defended six passes and had four break-ups. He led a secondary that ranked second in the conference in pass defense, allowing 164 yards per game.

During his three-season football career for the Gusties, he played in 36 games and started in 30-straight games. He was a safety his junior and senior years and a cornerback for his sophomore year. He had 143 tackles (84 solo, 59 assisted) and intercepted 10 passes, ranking fifth all-time for the Gusties.

He is a three-time Academic All-MIAC performer and Gustavus’ representative on the 2011 All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team. He plans to apply to medical schools across the Midwest.

Kruckeberg is a volunteer for the Special Olympics, St. Peter Food Shelf, Relay for Life and Mayo Clinic Health System. He is a member of the Tau Psi Omega fraternity and serves as co-president of the Inter-Greek Senate.