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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Former, Current Gophers Recognized
4/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Three former Gopher football players have been honored for their work on and off the field during their college career. Meanwhile, a pair of current Minnesota football players has garnered some preseason All-America recognition.
The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced the members of the 2009 NFF Hampshire Honor Society Thursday. Among those on the list of 564 players from 266 schools were former Gophers Stve Davis, Justin Kucek and Jack Simmons.
The Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who maintained a 3.2 GPA or better. The 564 players who qualified for membership in the society's third year was a 27 percent increase from the 2008 class.
"I continue to take great pride in being part of this initiative," said Florida State President and NFF Hampshire Honor Society National Advisory Committee Chairman Dr. T.K. Wetherell. "We continue to see strong membership growth in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, and I encourage coaches at all levels to tap the competitive spirit of their teams and promote membership and academic performance as a point pride among their players."
Qualifications for membership in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society include:
Being a starter or a significant substitute in one's last year of eligibility at an accredited NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, or an NAIA college or university;
Achieving a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study; and
Meeting all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
The NFF Hampshire Honor Society is the latest component of the National Football Foundation’s efforts to promote combined athletic and academic success. Launched in 1959 with a donation from Hall of Fame coach Earl "Red" Blaik, the NFF's National Scholar-Athlete Awards program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for his combined academic success, football performance and community leadership.
Meanwhile, seniors-to-be Eric Decker and Traye Simmons have garnered some preseason All-America recognition from a national website.
NationalChamps.net has released its College Football Preview for the upcoming 2009 season, including their Top 25 Heisman Candidates and the list of Preseason All-Americans. The online preview is free to the public.
University of Minnesota senior receiver Eric Decker has been chosen as a Third Team honoree on the All-American list. Senior defensive back Traye Simmons has received Honorable Mention status.
This is the 10th season NationalChamps.net has released an annual College Football Preview, complete with analysis, rankings, depth charts and unit grades.
-Andy Seeley
