UW-Whitewater's Schebler Wins Fred Mitchell Award
MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior placekicker Jeff Schebler is the recipient of the 2009 Fred Mitchell Award. He was chosen from nearly 400 eligible place-kickers in Division II and III for excellence on the football field and in the community. Schebler’s 470 career points is the most of any placekicker in NCAA history at any level, and a more detailed list of his accomplishments is included below.
Native of Davenport, Iowa (Assumption)….unanimous First Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2009 for the fourth straight year….125 points (2nd on the #2 nationally ranked Warhawks) from 83 of 85 PAT’s and 14 of 17 FG’s….470 career points is the most of any placekicker in NCAA history at any level….scored 10 points in November 21 Division III playoff win over Lakeland to become the NCAA’s all-time point leader among placekickers….scored 9 points in November 28 NCAA Division III playoff win over Illinois Wesleyan from 6 of 6 PAT’s and 1 of 1 FG’s (46-yard FG) and averaged 58 yards on 7 kickoffs….scored 40 points in October from 25 of 25 PAT’s and 5 of 6 FG’s including a 45-yard FG against UW-Stout on October 17 when Schebler broke the Division III scoring record for place-kickers….averaged 60 yards on 85 kickoffs….holds the school career records for PAT’s made (225), PAT’s attempted (236), FG’s made (71) and FG’s attempted (88)….set virtually all single season place-kicking records for the Warhawks….Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team…visits the Hadley School for the Blind in Janesville….Kohl’s Kicking Camp counselor and mentor
Additional finalists for the inaugural Fred Mitchell Award included: C.J. Bahr of Slippery Rock University (Pa.), Alex Beard of Quincy University (Ill.), Craig Burgess of Indiana University (Pa.), Jay Carpenter of Mount Union College (Ohio), Gordon Craig of Dickinson College (Pa.), Zack Harris of Wittenberg University (Ohio), Nick Hope of Wayne State College (Neb.), Garrett Lindholm of Tarleton State University (Texas) and Garrett Rolsma of Central Washington University.
The Award is named for Fred Mitchell, the All-American place-kicker from Wittenberg University and longtime sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune. “Jeff is a wonderful person and we are delighted to honor him with the 2009 Fred Mitchell Award. His results on the football field are extraordinary, and he has proactively volunteered his time in the community as well,” Mitchell said. Warhawks Head Coach Lance Leipold added, ‘I am extremely happy and proud of Jeff for receiving the first-ever Fred Mitchell Award. Jeff is extremely deserving of this Award, and he fits the criteria on and off the football field. His achievements speak for themselves.”
The Award’s Selection Committee Chairman, Chris Kearney, said, “There were dozens of terrific candidates for this Award. Jeff was on the Award’s Watch List in August and he also received our monthly recognition for outstanding performance during the college football season. We are looking forward to honoring Jeff on February 22, 2010 at Halas Hall at the National Football Foundation Chicago Metro Chapter Awards Ceremony.” Details for the Awards Ceremony are at www.nffchicagoawards.eventbrite.com.
A blue-ribbon Selection Committee evaluated place-kickers that were nominated by Division II and III schools. There are nine members of the Pro and/or College Football Hall of Fame on the Selection Committee including Tom Beck, George Blanda, Kevin Butler, Lou Holtz, Paul Hornung, Marv Levy, Steve McMichael, Don Pierson and Gale Sayers. Several former football players that are active in their communities are also on the Selection Committee including Carl Allegretti, Sean Gothier, Jeff Michalczyk, Mark Murphy, Rob Perry, Bob Thomas, Todd Wilkins and Rob Zvonar. There are eight former college or NFL place-kickers on the Selection Committee.
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