CHICAGO, Ill. – Slippery Rock University senior #C.J. Bahr# was included in a group of eight NCAA Division II football placekickers spotlighted Friday by the Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award selection committee.
“Place-kickers played a pivotal role in many games during the first month of the college football season. There were extraordinary performances, and we are delighted to honor these fine young men that were nominated by their schools, several of which are also nationally-ranked,” said Fred Mitchell.
Selection committee chairman Chris Kearney added, “We are delighted to recognize these place-kickers for their achievements. We also wish to honor the legendary Hall of Famer George Blanda, who passed away this week and who was a cherished member of the Selection Committee for the Fred Mitchell Award.”
The recipient of the second annual Fred Mitchell Award, whose selection is based on performance on the field and in the community, will be announced in mid-December.
Bahr earned the spot in this month's Fred Mitchell Award spotlight by scoring 24 points, the second highest total on The Rock team, on four of six field goals and 12 of 14 extra points. He kicked game-tying 47-yard FG with 31 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime Sept. 18 against West Chester (The Rock ultimately won the game, 33-27). Bahr is also averaging 58 yards per kickoff.
A native of Boalsburg and graduate of State College High School, Bahr ranks second on SRU's career field goals (29) and extra points (124) lists and is seventh in career scoring with 202 points.
Away from the football field, Bahr tutors underprivileged youth at the I Care House in New Castle, assists with YMCA youth soccer and football clinics in the State College area and served as a volunteer at the State Cup youth soccer competition.
C.J. is the son of former Penn State and NFL kicker Chris Bahr, the nephew of former PSU/NFL kicker Matt Bahr and former U. S. Olympic soccer player Casey Bahr and the grandson of former Temple and Penn State men's soccer coach and two-time soccer Hall of Fame inductee Walter Bahr.
About the Fred Mitchell Award
The annual Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award (also known as the Fred Mitchell Award, www.fredmitchellaward.com) is provided to the nation's top collegiate place-kicker among more than 600 FCS, Division II, III and NAIA 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 will be chosen based on excellence on the football field and in the community. The Award's Watch List is released in August, top performers are recognized monthly during the college football season, and the winner (who is not required to be on the Watch List) is announced in mid-December. The school of the Award winner receives scholarship funds. The Fred Mitchell Award trophy will be presented in February at the National Football Foundation Chicago Metro Chapter Awards Ceremony at Halas Hall in Chicago.
A blue-ribbon Selection Committee evaluates place-kickers nominated by their schools. Members of the Selection Committee include Kevin Butler, Lou Holtz, Paul Hornung, Marv Levy, Steve McMichael and Gale Sayers.
Former Wisconsin-Whitewater kicker Jeff Schebler, the highest-scoring place-kicker in NCAA history at any level, was the first-ever recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award in 2009.
