MINNEAPOLIS, MN - April 7, 2015 - The Minnesota Chapter of The National Football Foundation is excited to announce the 2015 Scholar Athlete award winners. The nine scholar-athletes reside in communities across the state of Minnesota and will be recognized at the 8th Annual Minnesota Football Honors on May 3, 2015 at the Hilton Minneapolis. This year's winners were chosen for their academic excellence, displays of outstanding leadership, and commitment to their communities.

Mitch Stangel is a well-rounded student-athlete who attends Crosby-Ironton High School. On the football field, Stangel was a three-year starter and a two-time all-conference selection at the linebacker position. He captained the Rangers’ football and baseball teams, as well as the Northern Lakes hockey team, for which he served as the team’s starting goaltender.

Stangel will graduate as co-valedictorian of his class, and garnered Minnesota Individual Academic All-State accolades as a senior in 2014. He is on Crosby-Ironton’s Knowledge Bowl team and student council. Stangel met the United States Naval Academy’s stringent admission requirements, and intends to study aerospace engineering there.

Stangel is active in the community through his church and through youth football and hockey programs. Mitch’s parents are Kevin and Jeanne.

Eight other young men will receive recognition as outstanding high school Scholar-Athletes. All of the athletes were nominated by their football coaches and were evaluated on their academic achievement, football ability, performance, leadership, attitude, and service to their community. Other 2015 honorees are Trey Anderson (White Bear Lake Area High School), Tommy Auger (St. Cloud Cathedral High School), Ben Ellefson (Hawley High School), Gunnar Grimsrud (Rochester Mayo High School), Ismael Kamara (Harding High School), Taylor Otterstatter (Mayer Lutheran High School), Ben Shoults (Maple Grove High School), and John Solberg (Cambridge-Isanti High School).

The 8th Annual Minnesota Football Honors, presented by the Minnesota Vikings, will take place Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Hilton Minneapolis. College and professional football Hall of Fame inductees are scheduled to attend the event, and WCCO-TV news personality Frank Vascellaro will return for his eighth year as Master of Ceremonies. The event is open to the public. To register or for additional information about this year’s Minnesota Football Honors, please visit www.minnesotafootballhonors.com. For sponsorship information, please email lindsay@nffmn.org.