Matt Redman Named National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete

senior Matt Redman was notified Monday that he has been chosen as a recipient of the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award.

He is one of 12 football student-athletes from the Foundation's northern chapter to be recognized in 2012.

Recipients are not informed in advance, and Redman said he was a bit nervous when he was called in to meet with Conard Principal Peter Cummings on Monday afternoon. But when he arrived and saw his parents and coach smiling, he knew he wasn't in trouble.

"It was great seeing Coach [Robert] McKee there, too. He has coached three generations of Redmans and has always been part of my football experience," Redman said. McKee coached Matt Redman's grandfather in baseball, and coached his father, Jeff Redman, in both football and baseball.

Criteria for the award include football performance, academic achievement, and school leadership. In addition to receiving all-conference honors in football, Redman is captain of Conard's 2012 track and field team, and plans to attend the University of Connecticut this fall.

Honorees have their names listed at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, IN. "Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow, and Steve Young are some of the others who have received this award, and it's such a big honor for me to be getting this award, too," Redman said.

All 12 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes will be honored at the Northern Chapter Banquet at the Aqua Turf in Southington on May 20.