Manchester, N.H., native recognized for October efforts on the field and in the community
EASTON, Mass. (October 30, 2012) – Stonehill College freshman Stephen Grzywacz (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Central) is one of 31 placekickers nationwide recognized by The Fred Mitchell Award for their excellence on the field and in the community for the month of October.
Grzywacz is among 12 placekickers from NCAA Division II football recognized for the month of October, with eight from Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), eight from NCAA Division III, one NAIA and one junior college. He is also one of four freshmen kickers honored for the month. The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in mid-December based on performances on the field and in the community. Details are provided at www.fredmitchellaward.com.
Grzywacz shared the team lead for Stonehill with 24 points during the month of October by converting 6-of-7 field goals and 6-of-8 extra points. He converted all four field goals from 20-to-29 yards and was 2-for-2 from 30-to-39 yards, missing just a 41 yard attempt. Grzywacz converted field goals from 20 (twice), 24, 26, 31 and 36 yards for the month.
Grzywacz opened the month with five points on an extra point and two field goals in Stonehill's 28-17 setback at NE-10 co-leaders American International College on October 8. He followed that up with ten points in the Skyhawks' key 22-20 win over Merrimack College on October 13, by converting three field goals, including the game-winning 24 yarder with 5:36 left in the fourth quarter, and adding an extra point. He also took over kickoff duties for that game due to injury and averaged 52.8 yards on six kickoffs. Gryzwacz capped the month with nine points on two field goals and three PAT's in a last-second 45-41 setback to No. 3-ranked University of New Haven on October 18.
Grzywacz, who has been named the NE-10 Rookie of the Week once this season, leads Stonehill in scoring his freshman season with 49 points. He has converted 10-of-15 field goals, with a season-best 37 yarder in a 13-0 week two win over Southern Connecticut State University, and has hit 19-of-22 extra point attempts. Grzywacz's Northeast-10 leading ten field goals (13th nationally in Division II) this season has broken the program's previous single-season record of eight set by Pat Matthews in 1993 and matched twice by Joe Crowley in 2002 and 2003. Grzywacz ranks third among NE-10 leaders for kicker scoring and seventh overall.
Grzywacz participated in Stonehill's "Into the Streets" program during freshman orientation by volunteering at a local unemployment office. He also continues to volunteer at a local soup kitchen in his hometown.
Stonehill (4-4, 4-3 NE-10) returns to action on Saturday following its bye week as it closes out the regular season with a Northeast-10 clash against Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y., at noon. The Skyhawks have clinched the No. 4 seed for NE-10 Championship Weekend on Saturday, November 10, and will host a game at Timothy J. Coughlin Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium at 1 p.m.