UW-Whitewater's
Jeff Schebler (Davenport, IA/Assumption), the all-time kick scoring leader in National Collegiate Athletic Association history, for any division, has been named the recipient of the inaugural
Fred Mitchell Award. The Fred Mitchell Award recognizes the top placekicker in Division II and III, combined.
Schebler's stats and accomplishments
Schebler (senior, Davenport, IA/Assumption) has earned unanimous First Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors each of his four years. He has added All-American honors after each season, including First Team Division III American Football Coaches Association for the 2009 season. He was a finalist for the 2009 Gagliardi Trophy, given to the outstanding player in Division III.
"I'm extremely happy and proud of Jeff for receiving the first ever Fred Mitchell Award," UW-W head coach
Lance Leipold said. "I think Jeff is extremely deserving of this award and fits the criteria of accomplishments on and off the field and as a student athlete. His achievements speak for themselves.
Jeff Schebler (Davenport, IA/Assumption) the person is equally deserving.”
Schebler has scored 462 points going in to the
Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl Saturday. That surpassed the all-time NCAA mark of 433 by Art Carmody of the University of Louisville (2004-2007). Schebler holds nine University of Wisconsin-Whitewater records and six Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference marks in addition to the NCAA Division III and overall records.
"It was an honor to even be nominated and then selected for the Fred Mitchell Award," Schebler said. "This is truly a team accomplishment. The offense, defense, and everyone on special teams has helped me win this award.”
Schebler helped the Warhawks win four consecutive WIAC titles, earn berths in the NCAA III playoffs each year, and advance to the national title game, the Stagg Bowl, all four years. UW-W won the NCAA III championship in 2007.
The Award is named for Fred Mitchell, the record-setting place-kicker, Wittenberg University Athletic Hall of Famer, author, philanthropist and
Chicago Tribune sports columnist. The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award is chosen based on excellence on the football field and in the community. The recipient's school will receive scholarship funds and the Fred Mitchell Award trophy will be presented by the selection committee on February 22, 2010 at the National Football Foundation Chicago Metro Chapter Awards Ceremony at Halas Hall.
A blue-ribbon Selection Committee evaluated placekickers 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 (Milwaukee/Dominican), Bob Thomas, Todd Wilkins and Rob Zvonar. There are eight former college or NFL place-kickers on the selection committee.
For additional information:
Chris Kearney, chriskearney@prodigy.net
Fred Mitchell Award - volunteer Selection Committee Chairman
Capital One Bowl - volunteer Team Selection Committee
National Football Foundation & College Football HOF - Chicago Metro Chapter Board President
Cell 847-507-9834
