University of Massachusets Athletics
Blake Frohnapfel Named NFF National Scholar-Athlete
October 29, 2015 | Football
Highlights | NFF Release | Fall 2015 UMass Magazine Feature
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts quarterback Blake Frohnapfel has been named one of 12 National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame 2015 National Scholar-Athletes and is a finalist for the 2015 William V. Campbell Trophy, it was announced on Thursday.
"This is a tremendous honor for Blake and his family," head coach Mark Whipple said. "Blake is the consummate student-athlete. To be recognized at this level for his accomplishments is a very proud moment for him and the University of Massachusetts."
With magna cum laude honors, Frohnapfel earned his undergraduate degrees in finance and economics from Marshall University in May 2014. Finishing in just three years, he earned a GPA of 3.65. He is currently a full-time MBA/MS student in UMass' Isenberg School of Management Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management with a 3.67 graduate GPA.
"I'm truly humbled and honored to be recognized by the National Football Foundation in a class of impressive student-athletes," Frohnapfel said. "Earning my graduate degree and playing football for the University of Massachusetts is an opportunity that will have a positive impact on my future."
In 2015, Frohnapfel has completed 179 of 309 attempted passes for 14 touchdowns and six interceptions through seven games. He averages 290.6 yards per game to rank No. 20 among FBS players and No. 3 in the MAC.
He ranks No. 7 among FBS players in attempts (309), No. 12 in completions (179), No. 2 in attempts per game (44.1) and No. 8 in completions per game (25.57). He totals 5,379 career passing yards at Massachusetts to become just the fourth quarterback to eclipse the 5,000-yard mark.
Frohnapfel is Massachusetts' second NFF National Scholar-Athlete with offensive lineman Mike Wynne being recognized in 1999. He is also a candidate for the Manning Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Wuerffel Trophy and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Frohnapfel and the 11 finalists will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to New York City for the 58th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. At the event, one member of the class will be declared the winner of the 26th William V. Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
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