2015 NFF Hampshire Honor Society (PDF)
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University seniors Mathieu Araujo and Matthew Lockwood have been selected to the National Football Foundation (NFF) 2015 Hampshire Honor Society.
A Physical Education major with a concentration in Exercise Science, Araujo is currently sporting a cumulative 3.74 grade point average. Lockwood has maintained a 3.34 GPA while majoring in Physical Education with a Teacher Certification concentration.
A total of 817 players from 278 schools qualified for membership in the society's ninth year, setting a new record for the number of schools represented in the history of the program, which began in 2007. To be nominated, student-athletes must have been a starter or significant contributor in their final season of eligibility while achieving at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average and meeting all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements and graduation.
"We continue to raise the bar each year for the number of student-athletes who qualify for membership in the Hampshire Honor Society," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell.
"The Hampshire Honor Society plays an important role in highlighting that college football players clearly play a leadership role in the classroom as well as on the playing field," Hatchell added. "We congratulate each of these young men for their commitment to excellence."
The NFF Hampshire Honor Society capitalizes on the NFF's National Scholar-Athlete program by greatly expanding the number of scholar-athletes the NFF can recognize each year. The program further strengthens the organization's leadership role in encouraging academic performance by the student-athletes who play football at the 772 colleges and universities with football programs nationwide.
The initiative has honored 5,744 student-athletes since its inception, and the program has experienced growth every year in either members or school participation since its launch in 2007. The 278 schools represented in 2015 is a new high water mark, eclipsing the 267 schools in 2014. The total of 817 players in the 2015 class is the second-most in the program's history, only 21 behind the 838 honored last year.
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 a chairman emeritus. Each player awarded with membership in this year's Honor Society will receive a certificate commemorating their achievement.
"We have honored nearly 6,000 student-athletes in the last nine years thanks to Jon Hanson's generosity," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "We are grateful for his passionate belief in the scholar-athlete ideal, and the Hampshire Honor Society allows us to showcase the names of tomorrow's leaders while inspiring future generations to follow in their footsteps."
A four-year letter-winner for the Bears, Lockwood appeared in 38 games as a fullback. The Seekonk, Massachusetts product rushed for 89 career yards on 16 carries and caught five passes for 61 yards. He also returned seven kickoffs for 68 yards as he totaled 218 all purpose yards.
Araujo, who spent time at both cornerback and free safety, appeared in 26 games for the Bears over his last three seasons. The East Freetown, Massachusetts native recorded 31 tackles, including 24 solo stops, to go along with an interception and a pair of pass breakups.
Over the last four years, the Bridgewater State football team posted an overall record of 26-14 (.650). The 2012 squad made the program's third trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament and first since back-to-back appearances in 1999 and 2000.