Saint Francis football senior kicker Lance Geesey (Harrisburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy by the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday. The award is given to the individual who is recognized as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation.
Geesey is one of 156 semifinalists for the award, which covers all levels of college football. The National Football Foundation will announce 12-14 finalists on November 1, which each of the finalists receiving an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The overall winner receives a $25,000 scholarship.
Geesey joins Robert Morris’ Andy Smigiera as NEC representatives among the semifinalists.
To qualify for the award, a football student-athlete must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, be a starter or major contributor on their team and demonstrate strong leadership and citizenship.
The William V. Campbell Trophy is named after the late Bill Campbell, former chairman of Intuit, who was a former player and head coach at Columbia University and was the 2004 recipient of the NFF’s Gold Medal.
Geesey, who graduated last December with a 3.2 GPA as a double major in Management and Marketing, is already working towards his masters in Business Administration.
The Harrisburg, Pa. native has earned multiple academic honors while at Saint Francis, including CoSIDA Academic All-District and NEC Scholar-Athlete. He is a four-time member of the NEC Honor Roll (3.2 GPA or higher) and a three-time selection for the NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (3.75 GPA or higher).
Geesey, the 2015 winner of the CFPA Placekicker of the Year Award, was a Preseason All-America selection by College Sports Madness, Football Gameplan, HERO Sports and STATS FCS.
Through four games this season, Geesey has hit 6-of-10 attempt, including a long of 50 yards. He has also hit all nine extra point attempts.
This past Saturday, Geesey hit three field goals in the first half against No. 22 Albany. He connected on attempts of 21, 50 and 33 yards.
Geesey has now hit 51 field goals in his SFU career, tying him with Duquesne’s Austin Crimmins for the NEC Career Record. Geesey has also hit nine field goals of 40 or more yards in his career.
The Red Flash hosts Malone this Saturday for its home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at DeGol Field. It is First Responders Day as well as part of Saint Francis University’s Family Weekend.