Utica's Taft Named NFF Scholar Athlete Award Winner

1/30/2013 11:43:00 AM

CNY Chapter- National Football Foundation

Utica, NY (1/30/2013) - Senior defensive tackle Kyle Taft of the Utica College football team was honored Sunday as a scholar-athlete by the Central New York Chapter of the National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Football Hall of Fame. Taft was joined by 70 other players across the High School and Collegiate level in recognition of the foundations requirements; Scholarship, Citizenship and Football Performance.

Taft represented Utica College and was one of only seven college athletes recognized. He was accompanied by other local college athletes from Syracuse University, Hamilton College, Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland, St. Lawrence, and Morrisville State. The seven collegiate athletes joined 60 high school athletes at the ceremony. This year’s awards brought over $35,000 in scholarships to athletes across both high school and collegiate levels.

Since its inception thirteen years ago, the CNY chapter of the NFF has honored over 759 scholar-athletes and has awarded scholarships totaling over $281,500.00.

The student athletes were selected for their performance both on and off the field along with their dedication to the NFF’s guidelines of Scholarship, Citizenship and Football Performance.

The UC football program fell short of an Empire 8 Conference title, ending their 2012 season with a 6-4 overall record and 4-3 mark in conference play. Taft closed out his senior campaign averaging two tackles per game, alongside a season total of four tackles for a loss, and two sacks. The Pioneers defensive unit held its opponents to seven points or less in 4-of-10 contests this season, including a shutout victory (41-0) over Frostburg University on Homecoming Weekend.

Utica College has had student athletes recognized by the NFF for the past six years now including, James Proniewych-2008, Ben Atwood-2009, Eric Kahl-2010, Travis Ladd-2011, Greg Caloia-2012, and now Kyle Taft-2013.