IRVING, Tex. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) continues to showcase its commitment to academic and athletic excellence, as numerous student-athletes were named to the National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society as part of the program’s historic 2026 class.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society has recognized 23,568 student-athletes from 691 schools since its inception in 2007. The 2026 class features a record-breaking 2,596 honorees from 365 institutions, marking the largest group in program history and further emphasizing the importance of academic success across all levels of college football.
Created to honor college football players who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher throughout their careers, the Hampshire Honor Society stands as one of the most comprehensive scholar-athlete initiatives in collegiate athletics. Over the last two decades, Division III has led all levels with 9,278 honorees, reinforcing its long-standing emphasis on the true student-athlete experience.
This year’s class boasts an impressive 3.57 average GPA, with 26 percent of honorees serving as team captains. The group includes 1,251 offensive players, 1,089 defensive players, and 256 special teams contributors, while 102 schools across the country produced at least 10 honorees.
The MIAA was well represented across the conference:
Adrian College
Noah Beaudrie, Jack Boike, Isaiah Simon
Albion College
Jackson Buckler, Ryan Deibis, Dilon Denison, Tucker Hubbard, Jajuan Johnson, Brady Kusak, Adam Mills, Drew Morris, Ali Murray, Alex Olenik, Will Smith, Charlie Tams, Jordan Vidojevski, Matthew Wilson
Calvin University
Marcus Breuker, Peter DeKruyter, Tate Dohm
Hope College
Griffin Bloch, Jack Goldie, Travis Myers, Caleb Paarlberg, Gavin Reames
Kalamazoo College
Bryce Balabuch, Conner Bell, Jaylen Bowles-Swain, Dillon Gacki, Lucas Hanifan, Jaden Johnson, Tommy Kartes, Braeden Lavin, Ben Maurice, Alex Pepin, Dawson Skupin
The recognition reflects not only individual achievement but also the culture of academic success fostered throughout the MIAA. As the conference continues to build on its legacy, these honorees exemplify what it means to succeed at the highest level—both on the field and in the classroom.
From record-setting national milestones to conference-wide excellence, the MIAA’s presence in the 2026 Hampshire Honor Society class is yet another reminder that Division III student-athletes continue to lead the way in balancing competition, leadership, and academic achievement.