Fordham’s Michael Marando Recognized by Fred Mitchell Award

Fred Mitchell Award Release
 
Bronx, N.Y. (October 1, 2014) - Fordham University senior kicker Michael Marando was recognized by the Fred Mitchell Award for his accomplishments on and off the field in the month of September it was announced on Tuesday. He is one of 24 collegiate placekickers to be recognized by the organization for the month.
 
Marando, who was named second team preseason All-America for 2014 by Beyond Sports Network and preseason All-Patriot League, has connected on seven of his ten field goal attempts in 2014 as well as all 25 of his PATs. He leads all Patriot League kickers in scoring, averaging 9.2 points per game, and is second in Patriot League in 17th in the NCAA FCS in field goals/game (1.40).
 
Marando, a first team All-Patriot League pick last fall, connected on 16 of 20 field goal attempts and 55 of 56 PATs in 2013. He booted three field goals in a game twice, including a career-long 47-yarder in the win at Temple, a game in which he provided Fordham's margin of victory with a PAT with less than ten seconds left in the game. Marando's 55 PATs was a new school record, breaking the former mark of 47 set by Micah Clukey in 2003, and his 16 field goals made last year was the third highest total in Fordham history. He led the Patriot League and was 12^th in the NCAA FCS in field goals/game (1.3) and he was second in the league and 18^th in the NCAA in scoring (8.6 points/game).
 

Marando is the second Fordham kicker to be honored by the Mitchell Award, joining current Tampa Bay Buccaneer placekicker Patrick Murray, who was named the 2012 Mitchell Award winner.
 
The Fred Mitchell Award recognizes 24 place-kickers for their excellence on the football field and in the community during the month of September.  "The first month of the 2014 college football season was thrilling.  There were quite a few games decided by late scores by place-kickers, long snappers, holders and blockers on special teams.  We are pleased to recognize place-kickers that were nominated by their schools for extraordinary performance during the month," said Fred Mitchell.  The Award's Selection Committee Chairman Chris Kearney added, "These 24 place-kickers are succeeding on the gridiron and their civic and volunteer activities are having a positive impact in their communities.  We are delighted to honor this group."
 
The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in mid-December based on performance on the football field and in the community.  Details are provided at www.fredmitchellaward.com. 
 
The breakdown of the 24 place-kickers is as follows:
Collegiate Division – 13 FCS, 6 Division II, 3 Division III, 1 NAIA and 1 NJCAA
State – the place-kickers play at schools located in 15 different states
Year – 12 Seniors, 8 Juniors, 1 Sophomore, 3 Freshmen
 
The annual Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award (also known as the Fred Mitchell Award) is provided to the nation's top collegiate place-kicker among more than 750 FCS, Division II, III, NAIA and NJCAA football teams. The Award is named for Fred Mitchell, the record-setting place-kicker, Wittenberg University Athletic Hall of Famer, author, philanthropist and Chicago Tribune sports columnist. The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be chosen based on excellence on the football field and in the community. The Award's Watch List is released in August, top performers are recognized monthly during the college football season, and the winner (who is not required to be on the Watch List) is announced in mid-December. The school of the Award winner receives scholarship funds and the Fred Mitchell Award trophy will be presented each February at the National Football Foundation Chicago Metro Chapter Awards Ceremony at Halas Hall.