FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – June 24, 2020 – Barnesville High School’s Hunter Zenzen has been named a Scholar Athlete by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. This annual award honors Minnesota high school football players for their outstanding athletic, academic and community service accomplishments. Zenzen, a Hawley, Minn. native, is one of nine scholar-athletes who will be recognized during a July television broadcast. 

Zenzen, a linebacker and tight end for the Barnesville Trojans, became one of Minnesota’s top players. He was honored as a three-time All-Section and All-District selection. During Zenzen’s high school career, the Trojans made four state appearances, including a runner-up finish and two trips to the semifinals. He earned recognition as the 2019 District MVP and qualified for the All-Academic State Team. Zenzen was a 2019 Mr. Football Finalist and earned a spot on the Minnesota Vikings All-State Team. The Barnesville standout received the District Linebacker of the Year Award during his junior and senior seasons. 

Off the field, Zenzen changed the lives of young people. He was a mentor to many elementary students who needed a role model. Hunter frequently took a student out for ice cream and impacted his life. After seeing the difference he made, a parent in the community nominated Zenzen for the Minnesota Vikings Community Captain Award. Zenzen received this honor and spent an afternoon with the student at a Vikings game. 

“What makes him shine is the way he interacts and treats others in our school,” said Barnesville head football coach Bryan Strand. “His character is honestly as good as any kid I’ve seen in over 23 years of coaching.”

Hunter lives more than 200 miles from Minneapolis and represents the northwest region of Minnesota.

Minnesota Football Honors is hosting a show to honor this year’s high school, college and Minnesota Vikings award winners. The broadcast is set to air in July. Special guests, including Vikings players, are scheduled to make appearances. An official broadcast date will be announced soon on www.minnesotafootballhonors.com. 

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About the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation:

The Minnesota Chapter of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote amateur football’s ability to develop leadership, sportsmanship, competitive spirit and academic excellence in Minnesota’s young people. The Minnesota Chapter recognizes legendary football icons, college football Hall of Famers and Minnesota’s top high school and college football scholar athletes. For more information, visit www.nffmn.org​, or Facebook (​@MNFootballHonors​) and Twitter (​@NFFMN​).

Contact:

Todd Fultz, President              

MN Chapter of The National Football Foundation 

Phone: (612)-325-5500    

Media Contact: 

Daniel House, Director of Media Relations and Content 

MN Chapter of the National Football Foundation

daniel@nffmn.org