Five Kalamazoo College football players were recognized as 2023 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society members.
This year, Payton Fleming, Ryan Hanifan, Justin Negrete, Noah Piercy, and Andrew Widger were honored. The five seniors were integral to Kalamazoo College's football program for the past four years.
The Hampshire Honor Society recognizes college football players from all divisions who maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers, completed their final year of playing eligibility in Fall 2022, were starters or significant contributors throughout the 2022 season, and met all NCAA- or NAIA-mandated progress toward degree requirements.
An elite group of 1,734 players from 328 schools qualified for membership in 2023, the Society's 17th year. The initiative has now honored 16,370 student-athletes since its inception.
Jon F. Hanson, the chairman and founder of The Hampshire Companies, provided the endowment to launch the NFF Hampshire Honor Society in 2007. He made the contribution as part of his legacy to the organization after serving as NFF Chairman from 1994-2006. He currently serves the organization as the chairman emeritus. Each player awarded with membership in this year's Honor Society will receive a certificate commemorating their achievement.