BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University seniors Ryan Green and Nicholas Salois have been selected to the National Football Foundation (NFF) 2016 Hampshire Honor Society.

A Management major with a concentration in Marketing, Green is currently sporting a cumulative 3.55 grade point average. Salois has maintained a 3.70 GPA while majoring in Criminak Justice.

A total of 868 players from 275 schools qualified for membership as the society celebrates its 10th year, setting a new record for the number of players honored during the history of the program.

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.

"The number of colleges and universities who embrace the Hampshire Honor Society continues to increase each year," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell.

"Over the past decade, it has become a powerful vehicle for schools to recognize their college football players who have distinguished themselves both academically and athletically," Hatchell added, "and we congratulate the schools and 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 775 colleges and universities with football programs nationwide. 

The 868 players honored in 2016 is a new high water mark, eclipsing the previous record of 838 honorees in 2014. The initiative has honored 6,620 student-athletes since its inception, and the program has experienced growth every year in either members or school participation since its launch in 2007.

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.

"It was my great privilege to endow the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which has greatly increased the number of college student-athletes the NFF has been able to recognize during the past 10 years," said Hanson.

"Nationwide there are thousands of football players excelling in the classroom, and they're going on to be great leaders," Hanson added. "The NFF Hampshire Honor Society continues to grow and allows us to shine a light on their hard work."

"We have honored more than 6,500 student-athletes in the last 10 years thanks to Jon Hanson's generosity," noted 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, Salois appeared in 31 games as a linebacker. The Warwick, Rhode Island product notched 172 career tackles (107 solo) with 14 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three pass breakups, a forced and recovered fumble and a blocked kick.

Green, who spent time on the offensive line at both guard and tackle, appeared in 13 games over three seasons with the Bears with two starts. He hails from Leicester, Massachusetts.

Over the last four years, the Bridgewater State football team posted an overall record of 26-16 (.619). The 2015 squad finished 7-4 overall with a 6-2 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) mark as the Bears tied for second place in the MASCAC standings.

2016 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society (PDF)