NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The honors continue to keep rolling in for senior place-kicker Long Ding of the Norwich University football team. After already being selected as a candidate for the National Football Foundation's annual National Scholar-Athlete Awards, Ding was also named a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award, which honors excellence in place-kicking and the community.
Ding (Qing Dao, China) is one of 42 finalists across all levels of college football ranging from Division I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA schools. He is one of eight from Division III schools. The winner will be announced in mid-December.
The Award is named for Fred Mitchell, the record-setting place-kicker, Wittenberg University Athletic Hall of Famer, author, philanthropist and Chicago Tribune sports columnist.
Ding currently ranks second on the team in scoring with 18 points from two of four field goals and 12 of 12 PAT's. He has made 24 consecutive PAT's dating back to last season and scored seven points in 38-20 win over Becker on Sept. 24. Ding is averaging 44 yards on 19 kickoffs and is a volunteer Academic Mentor on campus.
