University Park, Pa. — Penn State center Patrick Weber has been selected one of the members of this year's class for the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society.
In order to be considered for membership in the Hampshire Honor Society, a player must be a starter or significant reserve who maintains a cumulative 3.20 grade point average or higher in their last year of eligibility at an accredited NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, or an NAIA college or university.
In its second year, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society capitalizes on the NFF's current National Scholar-Athlete program, greatly expanding the number of scholar-athletes the NFF can recognize each year and further strengthening its leadership role in encouraging academic performance by the student-athletes who play football at the more than 700 college and universities with football programs.
"Thanks to the generosity of The Hampshire Foundation, the National Football Foundation is extending its reach as a pioneer in the promotion of the scholar-athlete ideal with the NFF Hampshire Honor Society," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "We strongly believe that football is unique in its ability to foster academic achievement in our young people, and this year's class contains countless examples of our nation's brightest young leaders."
A product of Arnold, Pa., Weber was the Nittany Lions' long snapper on field goals and extra points and the top reserve at center during the 2007 season. Winner of the 2006 Frank Patrick Total Commitment Award, Weber earned his degree in kinesiology in May, 2007 and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He earned a 3.24 undergraduate GPA and had a 3.67 graduate GPA entering the spring semester.