BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University senior running back David Coakley (Bourne, Mass.) and senior linebacker Justice Lane (Shrewsbury, Mass.) have been selected to the National Football Foundation (NFF) 2021 Hampshire Honor Society.
The 2021 NFF 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 careers. An elite group of 910 players from 255 schools qualified for membership in 2021, the Society's 15th year. The initiative has now honored 13,077 student-athletes since its inception.
To be nominated, student-athletes must have been a starter or significant contributor in their final year of eligibility while achieving at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average and meeting all NCAA/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements and graduation.
Coakley is currently sporting an impressive cumulative 3.98 grade point average while majoring in public health. A physical education major, Lane checks in with an outstanding career GPA of 3.80.
On the gridiron, Coakley rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns in 19 career games with the Bears. He also recorded 12 solo tackles on special teams and forced a fumble. Lane played predominantly on special teams and also spent time at linebacker.
"We are pleased to honor another impressive group of athletes as part of this year's Hampshire Honor Society," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell.
"For more than a decade, the Hampshire Honor Society has served as 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 in all aspects of their lives."
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 at the 765 colleges and universities with football programs nationwide.
This year marks the first time the Hampshire Honor Society has included players from the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL), which was established in 1934 and currently includes 10 intercollegiate teams. The CSFL is a full-contact varsity sport for players weighing 178 pounds or less and has the same rules as regular college football.
Jon F. Hanson, the chairman and founder of The Hampshire Companies, provided the funds 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 chairman emeritus. Each player awarded with membership in this year's Honor Society will receive a certificate commemorating his or her 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 15 years," said Hanson. "Nationwide there are thousands of football players excelling in the classroom, and they are going on to become great leaders."
"We have honored more than 13,000 student-athletes in the last 15 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."
Complete list of National Football Foundation 2021 Hampshire Honor Society members (PDF)