Washington(High Point Andrews) Named NFF National Scholar-Athlete
Courtesy: Appalachian State Sports Information
IRVING, Texas — Appalachian State University senior wide receiver Tony Washington(High Point Andrews High School) received one of college football’s most prestigious honors on Thursday when he named one of 16 recipients of the National Football Foundation’s National Scholar-Athlete Awards.
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete program was the first-ever initiative to award student-athletes with postgraduate scholarships for their combined athletic, academic and leadership abilities. As one of the 16 award winners, Washington receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. He is only the second NFF National Scholar-Athlete in Appalachian State history, joining quarterback D.J. Campbell, who earned the honor in 1992.
Majoring in architectural design, Washington carries a 3.80 cumulative grade point average. He was named Appalachian State’s Most Outstanding Architectural Design Student in 2012-13 and was the winner of the architectural design department’s portfolio competition last semester. He is a member of the Dean’s List and the Appalachian State athletics and Southern Conference academic honor rolls and was named first-team academic all-district and an FCS Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star in 2012.
On the field, Washington ranks second in the Southern Conference with 589 receiving yards and third with 43 receptions this season. He is the SoCon’s reigning Student-Athlete of the Week after catching five passes for a career-high 129 yards and a touchdown in last Saturday’s 38-14 win over No. 24 Georgia Southern. He ranks 10th in school history with 118 career receptions, fifth with a 23.5-yard career average on kickoff returns and second with 1,009 career kick-return yards.
In addition to the $18,000 scholarship, Washington has been invited to the 56th-Annual NFF Awards Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on Dec. 10. At the event, one member of the 16-member National Scholar-Athlete class will be announced as the 24th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the best scholar-athlete in the nation.
Also in recognition of Washington’s achievements, Fidelity Investments will present Appalachian State faculty athletics representative Dr. Alan Hauser with a plaque and a $5,000 donation to Appalachian’s academic services for student-athletes as part of the NFF Faculty Salutes Initiative.
Washington and the Mountaineers return to action on the field on Saturday when they host SoCon title-contender Chattanooga (6-2, 4-1 SoCon). Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on Education Day and Scholar Ring Day at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
*****Congratulations to former High Point Andrews Red Raider Tony Washington.*****