Former Braves earn honors

DALLAS — Four former Braves were named to the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) 2009 NFF Hampshire Honor Society.

Kelly Albee, Will Allison, Nick Maysent and Chris McClellan earned the honor.

Allison also was an intern with The Ottawa Herald and, for two years, prepared regular sports video reports for the newspaper.

“I continue to take great pride in being part of this initiative,” T.K. Wetherell, Florida State president and NFF Hampshire Honor Society National Advisory Committee chairman, said.

“We continue to see strong membership growth in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, and I encourage coaches at all levels to tap the competitive spirit of their teams and promote membership and academic performance as a point pride among their players.”

The honor society is composed of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a 3.2 GPA or better.

A total of 564 players from 266 schools qualified for membership in the society’s third year, a 27 percent increase from the 2008 class.

In its inaugural year in 2007, the Hampshire Honor Society honored more than 300 students from 195 schools.

“We strongly believe that football is unique in its ability to foster academic achievement in our young people, and this year’s class contains countless examples of our nation’s brightest young leaders,” Steve Hatchell, NFF president and chief executive officer, said.

“There is no question that the lessons learned on the field translate directly into success later in life,” Archie Manning, NFF chairman, said.

Qualifications for membership in the inaugural NFF National Honor Society include:

• Being a starter or a significant substitute 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.

• Achieving a 3.2 or better cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study.

• Meeting all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.