IRVING, Texas – The Emory & Henry College Football Team has seen six of its players chosen to the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society. It is the second-most selections in program history, just behind the team's seven picks for the 2011-12 and 2013-14 academic years. Across all Old Dominion Athletic Conference schools, 16 different players were honored, with Emory & Henry's six selections leading the way. The Wasps have seen 38 players recognized across the past nine seasons.
Offensive linemen Daniel Bailey (Abingdon, Va.) and Austin Crabtree (Damascus, Va.), linebacker/holder Staymon Johnson (Pilot Mountain, N.C.), placekicker Matt Seals (Rogersville, Tenn.), defensive lineman Chance Widner (Independence, Va.) and wide receiver Derrick Yates (Abingdon, Va.) were picked to represent E&H in the society. Each player will receive a certificate in acknowledgment of their accomplishments both on the field and in the classroom.
RELATED: Official NFF Release | 2019 Hampshire Honor Society Members
"We are pleased to honor another impressive group of athletes as part of this year's Hampshire Honor Society," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "For more than a decade, it has become a powerful vehicle for schools to recognize their college football players who have distinguished themselves both academically and athletically, and we congratulate the schools and each of these young men for their commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives."
The Hampshire Honor Society was established in 2007 by the National Football Foundation to honor college football players from all divisions who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college career. A total of 1,471 players from 370 schools qualified for membership in the society's 14th year, setting records for both individuals and programs represented. The player must have also been a starter or significant substitute in their senior season to be eligible for the award.
"We have honored more than 12,000 student-athletes in the last 14 years thanks to Jon Hanson's generosity," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, "We are grateful for his passionate belief in the scholar-athlete ideal, and the Hampshire Honor Society allows us to showcase the names of tomorrow's leaders while inspiring future generations to follow in their footsteps."
The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. NFF programs include Football Matters®, the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future.
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Emory & Henry's All-Time NFF Hampshire Honor Society Honorees
2012 - Travis Bolt, Adam Buck, T.J. Frazier, Preston Jennings, Daniel Preston, Keith Taylor, Mike Young
2013 - Ross Ellis, Tyler Houk, Steven Michaluk, Corey Ware
2014 - Cole Beyeler, Kyle Boden, Adam Pugh, Zeb Rhodes, Chad Williams, Kenton Williams, Evan Williamson
2015 - Lucas Kirby, Josh Smith, Joe Vaughn
2016 - Chris Bingham, Matt Boyda, Mark Harris, Matt Kardulis
2017 - A.J. Hampton, Ace Holland
2018 - Zach Smith
2019 - Connor Christian, Brodyn Huddleston, Levi Peters, Jesse Santiago
2020 - Daniel Bailey, Austin Crabtree, Staymon Johnson, Matt Seals, Chance Widner, Derrick Yates