NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene University is pleased to announce that Kevin Rima has signed a Letter of Commitment to attend NNU and compete for the Crusader basketball and track & field teams this fall.

Rima (Fr., 6-6, 220, Fairbanks, AK/Hutchinson HS) graduated from Hutchinson High School in Fairbanks, Alaska where he averaged 21.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and three blocks per game on the hardwood in 2010.  Following his basketball efforts, Rima added his second-straight Alaska 3A State Championship in the shot put this spring.

"We are looking forward to having Kevin here at NNU this coming year.  He is an extremely gifted athlete and puts that to good use on the basketball court by being a relentless rebounder and active shot-blocker,” commented NNU Associate Head Coach Brandon Rinta.  “He also has the ability to spread the floor on the offensive end by being able to step out and shoot it."

Rima enjoyed a decorated high school athletic career, earning both first-team Alaska 3A state basketball honors and All-Aurora Conference accolades as a junior and senior.  His Hutchinson High School team captured the Alaska 3A state basketball championship in 2009 and he was named the Hutchinson High team MVP in 2010.

On the track, Rima won three Alaska 3A state championships (Shot Put '09-'10, Discus '09) and six Alaska Region VI titles in the Shot Put ('09-'10), Discus ('09-'10), Long Jump ('09), and Triple Jump ('10).  Kevin also finished as the runner-up at the state championships four times (Long Jump '09-'10, Triple Jump '10, Discus '10).

"Kevin will join an excellent group of throwers coming in as freshmen this next year and he has the championship experience at the state level that we look for,” commented NNU Head Track & Field Coach John Spatz.  “He also has the work ethic and coachability that should see him make some great improvements in just his first year of college track and field.  We are very excited that Kevin will join us for what looks like an outstanding year of men's track in 2011."