KYLE GRIMES EARNS CCIW PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

ELMHURST, Ill., September 8, 2004 -- Elmhurst College defensive back, Kyle Grimes (Winthrop Harbor-Zion Benton) has been selected as the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin's (CCIW) "Defensive Player of the Week" in the inaugural week of the football season.

After serving as a reserve quarterback last season, Grimes transitioned to corner back this season and made an impressive debut in the Bluejays' 60-14 win over Benedictine University on Saturday, September 4. Grimes recovered a live ball on a kickoff that Benedictine thought would roll out of bounds, setting up Elmhurst's third score in the first quarter. Grimes added to the scoring in the second quarter when he picked off a Benedictine pass and returned it 45 yards for an Elmhurst touchdown. He also added a pair of tackles in the Elmhurst win.

In his first season with the Bluejays, Grimes saw limited action at quarterback and rushed for a touchdown.

A graduate of Zion Benton High School, Grimes was a two-year letter winner in football and baseball. He earned All-County recognition during his senior year in football and was an all-conference baseball selection. He was also a two-time all-conference academic team selection in both football and baseball, earning all-state academic team recognition in football during his senior season.

He is the son of Larry and Debbie Grimes of Winthrop Harbor.

The Bluejay football team is off to a 1-0 start to the 2004 season after posting a 6-4 mark in 2003. Elmhurst will travel to River Forest this Saturday (September 11), to play at Concordia University.