SENATOBIA – Northwest sophomore kicker/punter Jim Speights has been recognized for excellence for the month of October by the Fred Mitchell Award, the organization announced on 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.  

A total of 32 place-kickers across the nation were recognized for their excellence on the football field and in the community during the month of October. 

For the season, Speights is second on the team in scoring with 88 points from 16 of 22 field goals (leads NJCAA) and 40 of 43 PATs and set a new school-record with 21 career FG makes.

Off the field, Speights has a 3.88 GPA (general college) and is a two-year Phi Theta Kappa member. He's been doing mission work at First Baptist Church of Brandon since he was in middle school and also helps the elderly by cutting their grass and running errands. In addition, he's worked at homeless shelters and halfway houses in the Jackson-metro area.

Speights was also recently named the MACJC Special Teams Player of the Week for the third time after a 27-20 playoff win over East Central.

"October was a record-setting month for college football place-kickers across the country and many games were decided by late field goals," Fred Mitchell said. "It is a pleasure to recognize kickers that were nominated by their schools for terrific performance during October and for their impressive volunteer efforts off the football field."  

The award's selection committee chairman Chris Kearney added, "these place-kickers are succeeding on the gridiron and their civic and volunteer activities are having a positive impact in their communities. We are delighted to honor this group, which has made a combined 15 field goals of at least 50 yards so far this season."
 
The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in mid-December based on performance on the football field and in the community. Details are provided at www.fredmitchellaward.com.