Dec., 24, 2024

Ferris State football player Sam Wahlberg becomes second Bulldog this month honored by NCAA for excellence in athletics and academics

Ferris State University football long snapper Sam Wahlberg earned the NCAA’s Elite 90 award for the 2024 Division II Football National Championship, saluting his excellence in the classroom and on the field.

Wahlberg, a Building Construction Technology major from Norton Shores, was presented with the award prior to Saturday’s National Championship, where the Bulldogs won the title for the third time in four years.

The sophomore is the second Ferris State student-athlete honored with the award this month.

The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers.

The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above academically who have participated in a sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed. Additional information about the awards is available at ncaa.com/elite-90.

Wahlberg becomes the second Bulldog football player to claim the distinction since the award's inception and the sixth FSU student-athlete all-time to be recognized.

He joins past Ferris State recipients Tommy Hill, hockey; Shelby Janutol, women's indoor track; Travis Russell, football; Cole Vickers, men's basketball); and Logyn Geren, a volleyball player who was honored earlier this month at the NCAA Division II Volleyball Elite Eight.

The Bulldogs defeated Valdosta State University from Georgia 49-14 in the national championship game on Saturday in McKinney, Texas.