Talk about taking a pandemic and finding a way to make it work for you.

Seneca Valley graduate and California (Pa.) University offensive lineman Eric Hudanick, along with three Slippery Rock University football standouts, have clearly done that.

Hudanick, SRU wide receiver Henry Litwin, offensive lineman Austin Wayt and linebacker Trysten McDonald have all been named to the first team Academic All-District team by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Better than that, all four have graduated with honors and will be playing college football for their respective teams this fall while excelling in graduate school. Because the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Division II college football last season, all players were granted another year of eligibility.

These guys are certainly making use of that.

Hudanick earned his degree in business administration with a minor in finance last December. He maintained a 3.51 grade-point average while doing so.

Now he’s pursuing a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management, all the while maintaining a 3.77 GPA.

Hudanick has also started 22 consecutive games at right tackle for the Vulcans and is considered one of the top linemen in the PSAC.

Not bad.

Litwin graduated from SRU in November with a degree in safety management and a minor in leadership with a 3.66 GPA. He is carrying a 4.0 GPA while working on his masters in business administration at The Rock.

McDonald graduated this spring with a degree in mathematics and a minor in actuarial sciences with a 3.56 GPA. He is now enrolled in a post-secondary certification program at SRU in data analytics, mathematics and statistics.

Wayt graduated in November with a 3.50 GPA and a safety management degree. He owns a 4.0 GPA while pursuing his masters in business adminstration.

While Litwin owns The Rock’s career touchdown catches record at 29 and had 103 catches for 1,509 yards last year, McDonald has started every game of his collegiate career and Wayt has started every game at center for SRU over the past two years, none of these guys is actively pursuing a career in the NFL.

Whether pro football ever does emerge for Hudanick or these three SRU players doesn’t really matter.

What matters is they’re using college football to help set up their futures outside of the game.

Hudanick, Litwin,.McDonald and Wayt have played in their share of NCAA playoff games and may have a ew more on the way. They continue to strive for championships on the field.

At the same time, they’re preparing to become champions in life.

More college football players should follow their lead.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle