A quintet of Valparaiso University football student-athletes received recognition for their success in the classroom on Wednesday as the National Football Foundation announced its 2021 Hampshire Honor Society members.

Defensive lineman Cade Bishop (Lafayette, Ind. / William Henry Harrison), running back Doug Haugh (Redlands, Calif. / Redlands Senior), punter Ben Niesner (Black Diamond, Wash. / Tahoma [Portland State]), long snapper/defensive lineman Carter Puckett (LaPorte, Ind. / LaPorte) and linebacker Gavin Twigg (Acworth, Ga. / Allatoona) qualified for membership in the Society, which recognizes seniors who own a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or better.

Haugh, who owns a 3.31 GPA in kinesiology/exercise science, is a team captain and is actively involved in leading the program’s community service efforts. A 3.61 GPA student in actuarial science, Bishop has seen action in four games so far this spring. Niesner, who owns a 3.73 GPA in leadership in sports, leads the Pioneer Football League and ranks eighth nationally with a yards per punt average of 43.8 this season. Puckett, who boasts a 3.59 in marketing, is a local member of the program and a Northwest Indiana native. Twigg, the owner of a 3.48 GPA in accounting, was a key contributor in 30 games over his first three seasons before being limited by an injury this spring.

Valpo Football has achieved success both in the classroom and on the playing field this semester, as the team will host San Diego at noon CT on Saturday, April 17 with an opportunity to secure the program’s best winning percentage since 2003. Entering the final week of the regular season, Valpo is in the mix for a share of the PFL title.