INDIANAPOLIS --Prior to Sunday's Colts game vs the Houston Texans, the 2016 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars presented by American Family Insurance were honored on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium. Sporting letterman jackets representing high school football programs throughout Indiana, 26 student-athletes were recognized as role models of both academic and athletic excellence by the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA), the Indianapolis Colts, and American Family Insurance.
The honorees were selected through IFCA's polling of high school football coaches around the state; ultimately, the group compiled a list of 26 student-athletes who ranked in the top of their respective classes. As a group, they've reached an extraordinary level of academic accomplishment, with 18 individuals being valedictorians, 6 salutatorians, and all 26 are in the top 1.5% of their graduating classes.
The 26 student-athletes were invited to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, where they participated in a full morning's worth of events, which honored them for their achievements both on and off the playing field. The celebration included a continental breakfast, an awards ceremony featuring remarks from Toby Jacobs, Chairman of the IFCA Colts Academic All-Stars committee, Bill Maynard, Sales Director for American Family Insurance and Bill Brooks, Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor member, as well as a pre-game field visit for the student-athletes, their family and friends.
Jacobs, the first to address the audience, described the difficulty in choosing the recipients and thanked the coaches for their nominations and committee for their hard work during the selection process. He also thanked American Family Insurance and the Colts organization, "who are invaluable in what they do for Indiana High School Football." Jacobs congratulated the team members on their academic successes but also encouraged them to "thank your parents, teachers, coaches and mentors who have helped them along the way."
Speaking on behalf of American Family Insurance, the WI-based insurance company dedicated to inspiring the dreams of local high school students, their families and communities, Maynard remarked, "Your aptitude will only take you so far in life. Like many other adults here in this room, I've learned that having the right attitude will propel you further and farther in life, your career, and in your communities and families that you'll lead one day." He continued, "A strong aptitude combined with an amazing attitude… now that's an equation that equals success, which leads to dreams coming true!"
Brooks, who attained an MBA during his playing days and accomplished a law degree after football, closed the event by stressing the importance of "being a lifelong learner." Brooks added: "Continue the same dedication, determination and drive you have shown on the football field and in the classroom, and opportunities will always be there for you."
After the awards presentation, the student-athletes received on-field recognition during the pre-game ceremonies, and the All-Stars also assisted with opening and presenting the full-field American flag for the National Anthem. They then joined their families in the stands to watch the Colts battle the Texans.
2016 marks the 18th year the Colts, the IHSAA and the IFCA have partnered to present this annual award to Indiana's top football student-athletes. Congratulations again to the 2016 Academic All-Stars!
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Prior to Sunday's Colts game vs the Houston Texans, the 2016 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars presented by American Family Insurance were honored on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium.
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ACADEMIC ALL-STARS BY POSITION
OFFENSE
OL
Derek
Bertucci
Wheeler High School
OL
Tyler
Kirk
Mitchell High School
OL
David
Flannelly
North Putnam High School
OL
Dylan
York
Fountain Central High School
OL
Leon
Valdez II
East Chicago Central High School
TE
Drew
Minninch
Northwood High School
WR
Noah
Thomas
Ben Davis High School
WR
Matt
Marley
West Lafayette High School
WR
Aaron
Litherland
Elwood Community High School
RB
Michael
Otley
Roncalli High School
RB
Dylan
Spesard
Carroll (Flora) High School
QB
Trey
Powell
Sullivan High School
QB
Austin
Lawrence
Winchester Community High School
DEFENSE
DL
Robert
Brown
Monroe Central High School
DL
Eli
Kipp
Fishers High School
DL
Jonah
Hunter
Seeger High School
DL
Keegan
Hurst
Penn High School
DL
John
Ragan
Eastbrook High School
LB
Eddison
Peters
Heritage Hills High School
LB
Jacob
Geesaman
Jay County High School
DB
Sean
Ratigan
South Bend St. Joseph High School
DB
Jack
DeGroot
Winamac Community High School
DB
Adam
Dauby
Perry Central High School
DB
Dylan
Hagemeier
North Knox High School
SPECIAL TEAMS
PUNT
Jonah
Sanders
South Putnam High School
PK
Joshua
Krsek
Culver Community High School
