IRVING, Texas - The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that four Augustana football student-athletes, Kirby Hora, Jordan Cardenas, Joey Newman, and Avram Tynes, have been named members of the 2019 NFF Hampshire Honor Society. 

One the most prestigious awards for every level of college football, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play whom each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college career. Other requirements include: Completing their final year of eligibility in 2018 and met all NCAA- or NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.

Augustana head coach Jerry Olszewski is honored to have four student-athletes selected as 2019 Hampshire Honor Society members. 

"I'm proud of these young men for continuing to represent Augustana Football with excellence in the classroom, in our community, and every day in competition," Olszewski said. "This is an impressive accomplishment to be included among the very best our country has to offer as student-athletes."

Kirby Hora, who was also named named the Google Cloud Academic All-America®, finished his college career with a degree in Biology and a 4.0 GPA. Joey Newman is a three-time All-Academic selection is an Athletic Training major holding a 3.83 GPA. 

A two-time All-NSIC Academic selection, Tynes has earned a 3.78 GPA while majoring in Exercise Science at Augustana. Jordan Cardenas is a Government study major and finished his career with a remarkable 3.95 GPA. All four seniors were also recently named first-team Google Cloud Academic All-District® selections. 

An all-time high of 1,643 players from a record 424 schools qualified for membership in the Society's 13th year. "We are pleased to see another record number of athletes honored by the Hampshire Honor Society this year," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "For more than a decade, it has become 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." 

About the NFF Hampshire Honor Society

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 and 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 Football Matters®, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy® presented by Fidelity Investments, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million 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, Herff Jones, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, PrimeSport, the SportsBusiness Journal, SportsManias, Under Armour and VICIS.