Saint Francis (PA)'s Josh Thiel Named to Fred Mitchell Award Watch List
8/1/2012
Saint Francis (PA)'s Josh Thiel
Loretto, PA -- Josh Thiel (Leesburg, Va./Heritage) of the Saint Francis University Football team earned a spot on the Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award Watch List Wednesday.
The annual Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award (also known as the Fred Mitchell Award) is provided to the nation's top collegiate place-kicker among more than 750 FCS, Division II, III, NAIA and NJCAA football teams. 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. The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award is chosen based on excellence on the football field and in the community.
“Josh has been an outstanding member of our program both on and off the field,” head football coach Chris Villarrial said. “He put up great numbers for us last season and we counting on him and our other seniors to step into leadership roles this fall.”
Thiel enters his senior season as on of the top kickers in Saint Francis school history ranking fifth all-time in points, third in field goals made and second in PATs made. The native of Leesburg, Va. posted his best season as a member of the Flash in 2011 with a single-season school record nine made field goals and 36 made extra points. Thiel also showed off his range in 2011 matching his own school record with a 45-yard field goal against CCSU before setting a new school record against Monmouth knocking in a 47-yard field goal. Thiel currently stands as the only SFU kicker in school history to hit multiple 45-plus yard field goals.
The senior has not limited his contributions to the football field, as Thiel is also an active member of the community. He has volunteered at the Special Olympics, Sports for Kids Day and at the local Loretto Dorothy Day Center. Thiel also works with the Children's Miracle Network and the Huntsman Cancer Center.