Posted: Dec 18, 2014
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced Thursday afternoon that Central Methodist quarterback/wide receiver Kaleb Borghardt, linebacker Luke Mayer and linebacker Conner White are among 319 football student-athletes that have been named 2014 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes. White earns the honor for a third-straight year, while Borghardt and Mayer are repeat award winners.
Borghardt, from California, Mo., sports a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA) in physical education. The senior was named a finalist for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in July. Borghardt is a member of the Physical Educators Club and has won the Dr. James M. Luetjen Award and Scholarship, Champions of Character Student-Athlete Award and Marianne Inman Award. He was also named to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-District � Football first team for the College Division of District Five.
Mayer, who was named to the Capital One Academic All-America � Football first team for the College Division earlier this month, has a 3.90 GPA in biology. The Sullivan, Mo., native has been on the Dean's List for six semesters and has won the Poage Award, Founder's Award and Excellence in Organic Chemistry award. The senior is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and Omicron Kappa Delta Honor Society.
White, from Jefferson City, Mo., has a 3.62 GPA. The redshirt senior has already earned an undergraduate degree in history and is pursuing a Master's degree in education. White was an All-Heart of America Athletic Conference honorable mention selection this past season.
Taylor (Ind.) leads all institutions with 14 individuals on the list.
In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director for this honor, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and have achieved at least a junior academic status.
