April 10, 2008

By Ron Hines, Sports Information Director

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today that Southeast Missouri State senior linebacker Adam Casper has been named to the 2008 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a 3.2 GPA or better. A total of 439 players from 226 schools qualified for membership in the society's second year, an increase of more than 25 percent from the inaugural class in 2007.

Casper, who led the Redhawks and the OVC in tackles, has a 3.419 cumulative grade point average. He was a first team all-OVC selection and an honorable All-American.

"It's a privilege to a part of this initiative," said Florida State President and NFF Hampshire Honor Society National Advisory Committee Chairman Dr. T.K. Wetherell. "I am pleased to see the strong membership growth that NFF Hampshire Honor Society produced in its second year. I would 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 NFF Hampshire Honor Society capitalizes on the NFF's current National Scholar-Athlete program, greatly expanding the number of scholar-athletes the NFF can recognize each year and further strengthening its leadership role in encouraging academic performance by the student-athletes who play football at the more than 700 college and universities with football programs.

"Thanks to the generosity of The Hampshire Foundation, the National Football Foundation is extending its reach as a pioneer in the promotion of the scholar-athlete ideal with the NFF Hampshire Honor Society," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "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."

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 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study; and
• Meeting all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.