Brom Recognized for Excellence

Texas A&M-Kingsville senior Christian Brom (McAllen/McAllen HS) was recognized for his excellence on the football field and in the community during the month of October.

The Fred Mitchell Award recognizes 42 place-kickers for their excellence on the football field and in the community during the month of October. “October had quite a few college football games decided by late scores by place-kickers, long snappers, holders and blockers on special teams. Some place-kickers throughout the country have already established single-season records at their schools. We are pleased to recognize place-kickers that were nominated by their schools for extraordinary performance during the month,” said Fred Mitchell. The Award’s Selection Committee Chairman Chris Kearney added, “The place-kickers we recognize are having tremendous success on the gridiron. In addition, their civic and volunteer activities are having a profound and positive impact in their communities. It is truly a pleasure to honor this group.”

The recipient of the inaugural Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in mid-December based on performance on the field and in the community. Details are provided at http://www.fredmitchellaward.com/.

The breakdown of the 42 place-kickers is as follows:
• Collegiate Division – 13 FCS, 13 Division II, 10 Division III and 6 NAIA
• State – the place-kickers play at schools located in 27 different states, led by Pennsylvania schools with 8 place-kickers
• Year – 21 Seniors, 7 Juniors, 9 Sophomores, 5 Freshmen
• Included on the Preseason Watch List for the 2010 Fred Mitchell Award – 18

Brom leads the Javelinas in scoring with 57 points by making 10-of-13 field goal attempts and 27-of-29 PAT’s. He was named the Lone Star Conference South Division Special Teams Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks following a three field goal performance against West Texas A&M and kicking a game-winning field goal at Tarleton State. He has climbed the Javelina all-time charts this year and ranks 10th in scoring (220 points), third in field goals (31) and fourth in PAT’s (127).

The annual Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award (also known as the Fred Mitchell Award, www.fredmitchellaward.com) is provided to the nation’s top collegiate place-kicker among more than 600 FCS, Division II, III and NAIA football teams. The Award is named for Fred Mitchell, the record-setting place-kicker, Wittenberg University Athletic Hall of Famer, author, philanthropist and Chicago Tribune sports columnist. The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be chosen based on excellence on the football field and in the community. The Award’s Watch List is released in August, top performers are recognized monthly during the college football season, and the winner (who is not required to be on the Watch List) is announced in mid-December. The school of the Award winner receives scholarship funds and the Fred Mitchell Award trophy will be presented on February 21, 2010 at the National Football Foundation Chicago Metro Chapter Awards Ceremony at Halas Hall.

A blue-ribbon Selection Committee (listed at www.fredmitchellaward.com) evaluates place-kickers that are nominated by their schools. There are eight members of the Pro and/or College Football Hall of Fame on the Selection Committee including Tom Beck, Kevin Butler, Lou Holtz, Paul Hornung, Marv Levy, Steve McMichael, Don Pierson and Gale Sayers. Several former football players that are active in their communities are also on the Selection Committee including Carl Allegretti, Sean Gothier, Dan Jiggetts, Jeff Michalczyk, Mark Murphy, Rob Perry, Jeff Schebler, Jay Sebben, Bob Thomas, Todd Wilkins, Gary Zauner and Rob Zvonar. There are eight former college or NFL place-kickers on the Selection Committee, including Schebler, the 2009 Fred Mitchell Award recipient and the highest-scoring place-kicker in NCAA history at any level.