Eastern Michigan Athletics
Four Eagles Named to 2017 NFF Hampshire Honor Society
4/10/2017 11:14:00 AM | Football
A record 1,091 players were honored as the Society celebrates its 11th year
Complete Release.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Four Eastern Michigan University football players – Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia), Jake Hurcombe (Lincolnshire, Ill.-Stevenson), DaQuan Pace (Detroit, Mich.-Cass Tech), and Brendan Renius (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior) have been named to the 2017 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, the NFF and College Football Hall of Fame announced April 5.
The 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 career. The four comprised the 29 student-athletes from a Mid-American Conference institution on the society's list.
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. Qualifications for membership in 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-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
"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."
A 3.30 MBA student, Gardner was selected All-MAC Second Team on the offensive line. He was also selected as one of six candidates from the MAC for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is given annually to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic." Gardner started all 13 games protecting the blind side for EMU this season. The converted tight end finished his career playing in 48 career games, making 32 career starts. The EMU frontline combined to allow the ninth-fewest sacks in the nation, as well as the second fewest tackles for a loss.
Hurcombe was a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree with a 3.70 GPA in his masters program. He started 12 games for EMU at center in 2016 on the ferocious offensive line. The fifth-year senior finished his career with 37 career starts in 40 appearances. A native of Lincolnshire, Ill., Hurcombe was a nominee for the Rimington Trophy in 2015, honoring the nation's top center. He graduated last year with his degree in supply chain management, and is currently pursuing a master's in business administration.
Pace wrapped up his stellar EMU career as the career pass breakup leader with 28 career interruptions. This season, the cornerback finished with 50 total tackles and a team-high three interceptions, as well as a team-best nine breakups. His three picks ranked fifth in the MAC, as well as 64th in the country, while his 11 passes defended were tied for ninth in the MAC. A staple in the secondary in his four-year career, Pace finished his career tied for fifth in games played with 47 appearances for Eastern. He holds a 3.25 GPA in marketing.
An exercise science major carrying a 3.56 GPA, Renius wrapped up his great EMU career with his third Academic All-MAC honor. The kickoff specialist notched 78 kickoffs for a total of 4,614 yards this season. Of those 78 kicks, 20 were for touchbacks and just one went out-of-bounds. He posted a season-best four touchbacks at Ball State (Nov. 8). Renius also had 10 kickoffs in the season-opener versus Mississippi Valley (Sept. 2).
Jon F. Hanson, the chairman and founder of The Hampshire Companies, provided the endowment to launch the NFF Hampshire Honor Society in 2007. He made the contribution as part of his legacy to the organization after serving as NFF Chairman from 1994-2006. He currently serves the organization as the chairman emeritus. Each player awarded with membership in this year's Honor Society will receive a certificate commemorating their achievement.
"It was my great privilege to endow the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which has greatly increased the number of college student-athletes the NFF has been able to recognize during the past 10 years," said Hanson. "Nationwide there are thousands of football players excelling in the classroom, and they're going on to be great leaders. The NFF Hampshire Honor Society continues to grow and allows us to shine a light on their hard work."
"We have honored more than 7,700 student-athletes in the last 11 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 Hampshire Honor Society represents an important component in the organization's rich history as an innovator in promoting the scholar-athlete ideal, which began in 1959 with the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards. Launched with a donation from Hall of Fame coach Earl "Red" Blaik, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments, became the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on a player's combined academic success, football performance and community leadership. Since its inception, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program has awarded $11.1 million to 828 top scholars and community leaders.
About the Hampshire Foundation:
The Hampshire Foundation is the charitable arm of The Hampshire Companies, a privately-held, fully-integrated real estate firm that has more than 60 years of hands-on, cycle-tested experience in acquiring, developing, leasing, repositioning, managing, financing and disposing of real estate. Founded by Jon F. Hanson, who served as NFF Chairman from 1994-2006, Hampshire is headquartered in Morristown, N.J. Learn more at www.hampshirere.com.
About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, 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. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include FootballMatters.org, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, Hofmann Brands, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, PrimeSport, the Sports Business Journal, Under Armour and VICIS. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Four Eastern Michigan University football players – Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia), Jake Hurcombe (Lincolnshire, Ill.-Stevenson), DaQuan Pace (Detroit, Mich.-Cass Tech), and Brendan Renius (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior) have been named to the 2017 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, the NFF and College Football Hall of Fame announced April 5.
The 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 career. The four comprised the 29 student-athletes from a Mid-American Conference institution on the society's list.
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. Qualifications for membership in 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-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
"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."
A 3.30 MBA student, Gardner was selected All-MAC Second Team on the offensive line. He was also selected as one of six candidates from the MAC for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is given annually to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic." Gardner started all 13 games protecting the blind side for EMU this season. The converted tight end finished his career playing in 48 career games, making 32 career starts. The EMU frontline combined to allow the ninth-fewest sacks in the nation, as well as the second fewest tackles for a loss.
Hurcombe was a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree with a 3.70 GPA in his masters program. He started 12 games for EMU at center in 2016 on the ferocious offensive line. The fifth-year senior finished his career with 37 career starts in 40 appearances. A native of Lincolnshire, Ill., Hurcombe was a nominee for the Rimington Trophy in 2015, honoring the nation's top center. He graduated last year with his degree in supply chain management, and is currently pursuing a master's in business administration.
Pace wrapped up his stellar EMU career as the career pass breakup leader with 28 career interruptions. This season, the cornerback finished with 50 total tackles and a team-high three interceptions, as well as a team-best nine breakups. His three picks ranked fifth in the MAC, as well as 64th in the country, while his 11 passes defended were tied for ninth in the MAC. A staple in the secondary in his four-year career, Pace finished his career tied for fifth in games played with 47 appearances for Eastern. He holds a 3.25 GPA in marketing.
An exercise science major carrying a 3.56 GPA, Renius wrapped up his great EMU career with his third Academic All-MAC honor. The kickoff specialist notched 78 kickoffs for a total of 4,614 yards this season. Of those 78 kicks, 20 were for touchbacks and just one went out-of-bounds. He posted a season-best four touchbacks at Ball State (Nov. 8). Renius also had 10 kickoffs in the season-opener versus Mississippi Valley (Sept. 2).
Jon F. Hanson, the chairman and founder of The Hampshire Companies, provided the endowment to launch the NFF Hampshire Honor Society in 2007. He made the contribution as part of his legacy to the organization after serving as NFF Chairman from 1994-2006. He currently serves the organization as the chairman emeritus. Each player awarded with membership in this year's Honor Society will receive a certificate commemorating their achievement.
"It was my great privilege to endow the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which has greatly increased the number of college student-athletes the NFF has been able to recognize during the past 10 years," said Hanson. "Nationwide there are thousands of football players excelling in the classroom, and they're going on to be great leaders. The NFF Hampshire Honor Society continues to grow and allows us to shine a light on their hard work."
"We have honored more than 7,700 student-athletes in the last 11 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 Hampshire Honor Society represents an important component in the organization's rich history as an innovator in promoting the scholar-athlete ideal, which began in 1959 with the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards. Launched with a donation from Hall of Fame coach Earl "Red" Blaik, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments, became the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on a player's combined academic success, football performance and community leadership. Since its inception, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program has awarded $11.1 million to 828 top scholars and community leaders.
About the Hampshire Foundation:
The Hampshire Foundation is the charitable arm of The Hampshire Companies, a privately-held, fully-integrated real estate firm that has more than 60 years of hands-on, cycle-tested experience in acquiring, developing, leasing, repositioning, managing, financing and disposing of real estate. Founded by Jon F. Hanson, who served as NFF Chairman from 1994-2006, Hampshire is headquartered in Morristown, N.J. Learn more at www.hampshirere.com.
About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, 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. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include FootballMatters.org, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, Hofmann Brands, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, PrimeSport, the Sports Business Journal, Under Armour and VICIS. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.
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