IRVING, Texas --- Four Tusculum University student-athletes have been named to the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society. Earning spots on this year's Hampshire Honor Society are Christian Bell, Will Boney, Javon Green and Devin Woodson.
To qualify for membership in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, a student-athlete must be a starter or significant reserve in one's last year of eligibility at an accredited NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III or an NAIA college or university; achieve a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout the entire course of undergraduate study; and meet all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
Bell, a 5-9, 185-pound native of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, graduated with a 3.83 cumulative grade point average as an undergraduate while majoring in sport management. He is currently enrolled in graduate school at Tusculum. He is a member of the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll, Athletic Director's Honor Roll, Dean's List and Charles Oliver Gray Honors List.
He appeared in 17 career games including 10 this past year where he had one rush for 11 yards and was credited with four total tackles on TU's special teams. During the 2018-19 academic year he was named to the Division II Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA) Honor Roll and was the recipient of the inaugural South Atlantic Conference Postgraduate Scholarship.
Boney, a 5-10, 220-pound running back from Mayo, Florida, graduated from Tusculum with a 3.24 GPA while majoring in business management and was also enrolled in TU's graduate program. He is a member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
During his 39-game career, Boney rushed for four touchdowns including one in his final collegiate campaign.
Green, a 6-1, 230-pound product of Savannah, Georgia, graduated from Tusculum with a 3.47 GPA as an English literature major. He played in all 11 games in 2019 with nine starts at the "bandit" position. Green accounted for 16 tackles this year including five for loss and two sacks. He recovered three fumbles this year, including two in the in Tusculum home finale win over Mars Hill University. One of those recoveries was a four-yard scoop-and-score for his first collegiate touchdown. Green is a member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and Athletic Director's Honor Roll. He was also named to the 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-District 3 first team.
Woodson, a 6-2, 300-pound defensive tackle from Central, South Carolina, posted a 3.63 GPA while majoring in exercise science. In 2019, he tallied 13 tackles including two sacks and two quarterback hurries. For his career, Woodson has accumulated 72 tackles with 11 for loss and five sacks. He is a member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, Dean's List, Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the Charles Oliver Gray Honors List. He is also a two-time member of the CoSIDA Academic All-District first team.
A total of 1,432 players from 364 colleges and universities qualified for membership in the society's 14th year, setting a new record for the number of members in the history of the program, which began in 2007.
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 chairman emeritus. Each player awarded with membership in this year's Honor Society will receive a certificate commemorating his or her achievement.
"We are pleased to honor another impressive group of athletes as part of this year's Hampshire Honor Society," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "For more than a decade, the Hampshire Honor Society has served as 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 Pioneers finished the 2019 campaign with a 5-6 overall record including 4-4 in the South Atlantic Conference to finish fourth in the league standings. It is TU's fourth straight season to finish in the top half of the conference.
