University of Massachusets Athletics
Trio Earns Nod From National Football Foundation
April 27, 2016 | Football
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts football seniors Joe Colton, Blake Frohnapfel and Matt Sparks are members of the 2016 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, it was announced on Wednesday.
Celebrating its 10th season, the Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college career.
Colton, a native of Norwood, Mass., holds a cumulative GPA of 3.23 and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in public health. A former walk-on who earned a scholarship, he played in 45 career games at defensive back and on special teams. In 2015, he totaled 90 tackles (third on the team) and two interceptions.
Frohnapfel, a native of Stafford, Va., holds a cumulative GPA of 3.66 and will graduate with a master's degree in business administration and sport management. He finished the 2015 season completing 266 of 472 attempted passes for 2,919 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is one of four UMass quarterbacks to ever throw for more than 5,000 career passing yards and one of three to throw for more than 6,000 career passing yards.
Sparks, a native of Mililani, Hawai'i, holds a cumulative GPA of 3.8 and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering. He played 40 career games at center, anchoring the offensive line. Under Sparks' guidance in 2015, the offensive line blocked for Frohnapfel's 2,919 passing yards and 16 touchdowns in the air. Additionally, the UMass offense rushed for 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns while the receiving corps racked up 3,090 yards.
Qualifications for membership in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society include being a starter or a significant contributor in one's last year of eligibility (or a senior who has declared for the NFL Draft) at an 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/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
Football season tickets are on sale now by calling the UMass Athletics Ticket Office at 1866-UMASS-TIX, visiting the Mullins Center Ticket Office (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) or by clicking here.
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