IRVING, Texas (April 14, 2021) – South Dakota Mines football scholar-athletes
Zach Hoopman,
Enis Sefa and
Darren Sroor have been named to The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame 2021 NFF Hampshire Honor Society announced Wednesday. The NFF 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.
Hoopman, a running back from Douglas, Wyoming, finished his college career with the Hardrockers playing three years and appearing in 23 games where he tallied five touchdowns. He has a Chemical Engineering Major.
Sefa, a place kicker from Rosharon, Texas, finished his football career as the second all-time leading scorer in program history with 218 points. In 34 games, he registered 34 field goals, 116 extra points, and holds five kicking records for the 'Rockers.
Sroor, a defensive lineman from Lacey, Washington, played four years for SDM, appearing in 26 games and tallied 28 total tackles. He has a Mining Engineering major.
"What an honor it is for us as a school to have three individuals represent South Dakota Mines and Hardrocker Football in being a member of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society," Hardrocker football head coach
Charlie Flohr said. "Zach, Enis and Darren have continued to show the true meaning of what it takes to be a scholar-athlete here at South Dakota Mines. This award is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and overall commitment to being the best they can be in all facets of life."
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.
"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, and we congratulate the schools and each of these young men for their commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives."
Nominated by their respective schools, members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society must have:
Completed their final year of playing eligibility in Fall 2020 or Spring 2021;
Graduated players, who have remaining eligibility but will not return to collegiate play (e.g. declared for NFL Draft or retired from football), may also be nominated.
Attained a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.2 (4.0 scale);
Met all NCAA/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements; and
Been starters or significant contributors throughout the 2020-21 season.
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.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to all 2020 fall athletes. Many seniors have decided to take advantage of this, and because they will return to the field in 2021, are not featured in this year's Hampshire Honor Society.
ABOUT THE HAMPSHIRE FOUNDATION
The Hampshire Foundation is the charitable arm of The Hampshire Companies, a privately-held, fully-integrated real estate firm that has more than 60 years of hands-on, cycle-tested experience in acquiring, developing, leasing, repositioning, managing, financing and disposing of real estate. Founded by Jon F. Hanson, who served as NFF Chairman from 1994-2006, Hampshire is headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey. Learn more at www.hampshirere.com.
About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Future for Football, The William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Goodyear, Jostens, the New York Athletic Club, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.
