IRVING, Texas – A program-record eight Illinois State football student-athletes have been named members of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) 2018 Hampshire Honor Society, the organization announced Wednesday.
Brannon Barry, Adam Conley, Dean Helt, Bryce Holm, Blake Hooper, Alec Kocour, Matt McCown and Sean Slattery were each honored by the NFF for their dedication both on and off the field. The 2018 NFF Hampshire Honor Society Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers.
"We are pleased to see another record number of athletes honored by the Hampshire Honor Society this year," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Over the past 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 NFF Hampshire Honor Society capitalizes on the NFF's National Scholar-Athlete program by greatly expanding the number of scholar-athletes the NFF can recognize each year. The program further strengthens the organization's leadership role in encouraging academic performance by the student-athletes at the 778 colleges and universities with football programs nationwide. The 1,251 players honored in 2018 sets a new high water mark, eclipsing the previous record of 1,103 honorees in 2017. The 302 schools with members ties the previous mark also set in 2017.
Nominated by their respective schools, members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society must have completed their final year of playing eligibility in 2017. Graduated players, who have remaining eligibility but will not return to collegiate play (e.g. declared for NFL Draft or retired from football), may also be nominated. Nominees also must have achieved a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of their undergraduate study and must meet all NCAA- or NAIA-mandated progress toward degree requirements.
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