2017 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society
Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham University senior punter
Joe Pavlik was selected to the 2017 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society it was announced on Wednesday afternoon by the NFF & College Football Hall of Fame. He is one of 14 Patriot League student-athletes to be selected to the team.
The NFF 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. A total of 1,091 players from 298 schools qualified for membership in the society's 11th year, both new single-year records in the history of the program.
Pavlik, a senior who was a four-year starter at punter, kicked 36 times for 1,437 yards (39.9 yards/punt) with a long of 63 yards. He landed 14 of his punts inside the opponents 20 and had four kicks of 50 or more yards. Pavlik also served as holder for the placekickers in 2016. He was named recipient of the 2016 Macken Award, established in memory of Rams' special assistant coach Bob Macken, who passed away suddenly in June of 1992. Coach Macken was a key part of the Fordham staff for seven seasons, always handling the "little things" that are so vital to keeping a program going. He took special pride in working with the special teams, and his "Macken Pizza Party" for the top special teams plays of the year were a source of great pride for the team.
Pavlik punted 188 times in his Fordham career, fourth best all-time in school history, for 7,485 yards, third most all-time.
"We are pleased to see a record number of colleges and universities embrace 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 who play football at the 777 colleges and universities with football programs nationwide.
The 1,091 players honored in 2017 sets a new high water mark, eclipsing the previous record of 882 honorees in 2016. The 298 schools with members breaks the previous record of 280 in both 2015 and 2016.
Qualifications to be nominated to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society include:
- Being a starter or a significant contributor in one's last year of eligibility (or a senior who has declared for the NFL Draft) at an 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/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
