TORONTO --- Tusculum College wide receiver Nate Binder was selected as the first pick in the fourth round by the British Columbia Lions in the 2010 Canadian Football League College Draft Sunday. Binder was the 24th overall pick in this year's CFL Draft.

Binder becomes the 23rd player in school history to sign a contract to play professional football, but the first Pioneer to sign with a CFL franchise.

In his two seasons at Tusculum, Binder accounted for one of the best receiving careers in school history. In just 22 games in the Black & Orange, Binder posted 1,569 receiving yards on 85 receptions, averaging 18.46 yards per catch, which is currently the second-best average in school history. His yardage tally is seventh most in TC history, while his 13 touchdown receptions at Tusculum are tied for fourth. Including his two seasons at Missouri Science & Technology (formerly Missouri-Rolla), Binder has totaled 2,175 receiving yards on 128 receptions (16.99 ypc).

"I am so proud of Nate and all he has accomplished at Tusculum," said TC director of athletics and head football coach Frankie DeBusk. "Nate is one of those student-athletes that a coach dreams of having in their program. His accomplishments on the football field, in the classroom, and in the community, make Nate a fine representative of our College and I wish him the best in what promises to be a bright future."

Binder, a 6-2, 200-pound product of Maidstone, Ontario, Canada, earned All-South Atlantic Conference Second Team honors in 2008 as he tied a TC record with nine TD receptions. He also tied for first in the league averaging 78.7 receiving yards per game. He finished his first TC campaign with 944 yards on 49 catches in 12 games, while leading the Pioneers to a SAC Championship, a 9-4 record and the program's first NCAA Division II Playoff appearance.

"It has always been my dream to play professional football and that dream became reality today," said Binder. "I want to express by thanks to Coach DeBusk, Coach (Marc) Kolb and the entire Tusculum coaching staff for all they have done for me these past two years. The competitive level of football played at Tusculum has shaped and prepared me for this moment in my life. I will always be grateful."

Binder, who is a Pre-Medicine major, will earn his undergraduate degree this Saturday during Tusculum's commencement ceremonies. He is a member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, Tusculum Athletic Director's Honor Roll, Dean's List and Charles Oliver Gray Honors List. Last week, he was the recipient of the E.H. Sergeant Science Award.

The BC Lions' organization is located in Vancouver, British Columbia and is under the direction of general manager and head coach Wally Buono.

Binder will report to the Lions' Training Camp in Kamloops, British Columbia on June 2nd for a four-day rookie camp. The veterans and rookies will open camp on June 6th.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn. and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA, is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of nine colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

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