Irving, Texas – The Saint Xavier University football team placed nine student-athletes on the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society when the list was announced by the NFF Wednesday morning. The Cougars tied Morningside University (Iowa) for the most representatives for an NAIA program. To be eligible, a student- athlete must be either a senior or graduate student competing in their final season of eligibility, maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher and started or have been a main contributor throughout the 2024 season.
SXU was a part of a record 2,532 players from 339 schools from NCAA Division I FBS and FCS, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and sprint football to qualify for membership.
Head coach
Mike Feminis had this to say: "I know in today's world of the transfer portal and Name-Image-Likeness (NIL), the term
"Student-Athlete" rarely comes up anymore which is unfortunate. But I'm really proud of these guys. They got it done on the field but more importantly excelled in the classroom and it's nice to see they're getting recognized for their accomplishments."
- Graduate student kicker Peyton Benes (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) is earning his MBA while holding a 3.75 GPA.
- Graduate student defensive lineman Dalen Brown (Richton Park, Ill./Indianapolis/Crete-Monee) is earning his Masters in Exercise Science, sporting a 3.37 GPA away from the gridiron.
- Senior linebacker Clark Dilger (Frankfort, Ill./McKendree/Lincoln-Way East) is a Finance major with a 3.41 GPA.
- Graduate student linebacker Ryan Fitzgerald (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) is earning his Masters in ESL (English as Second Language) with a GPA of 3.50.
- Graduate student wide receiver Brandt Hixson (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) is also earning his Masters in Exercise Science, maintaining a GPA of 3.66.
- Senior running back Jessi Plunkett (Evergreen Park, Ill./College of DuPage/Brother Rice) sports a GPA of 3.50 as an Exercise Science major.
- Fifth-year senior wide receiver Kyle Quinn (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) holds a GPA of 3.33 in the classroom while majoring in Sports & Fitness Administration.
- Fifth-year senior quarterback Stuart Ross (Springfield, Ill./Springfield Southeast) majors in Business Administration with a GPA of 3.71.
- Senior defensive back Nick Schultz (Shorewood, Ill./Minooka Community) carries a GPA of 3.42 while majoring in Business Management.
Full list of NFF Honor Society Members:
