MINNEAPOLIS, MN - March 27, 2018 - For excellence on and off the football field, David Franta of Saint John’s University will receive the Stein-Fallon College Scholar Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He will be recognized at the 11th Annual Minnesota Football Honors on April 29 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Franta was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team as a senior and collected his third Academic All-MIAC honor. The nursing major holds a 3.83 GPA and is a recipient of the Trustees Scholarship at SJU, which is the highest merit-based scholarship offered and is awarded based on academic achievement, involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership and service. He was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's Campbell Trophy.

On the football field, Franta earned D3football.com All-West Region third-team and All-MIAC first-team recognition. He led the Johnnies with 73 tackles and forced three fumbles as an inside linebacker. Franta’s contributions helped SJU’s defense end the regular season ranked in the top 12 in NCAA Division III in a number of categories.

Franta’s volunteer efforts have included packing meals with Kids Against Hunger, helping his team raise money for Tackle Cancer and the "Up Till Dawn" campaign and collecting donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He also provided educational community outreach at Prince of Peace Lutheran School in Sartell.

During his college career, Franta conducted clinicals at St. Cloud Hospital, where he was paired with a veteran from the St. Cloud VA Hospital. He interned at the Mayo Clinic's Progressive Care unit last summer and is working with Stearns County Public Health this academic year. Franta intends to continue his education in nursing or anesthesiology.

The Stein-Fallon College Scholar Award is named for Minnesota Gopher great Bob Stein and business leader Pat Fallon.

The Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation will host the 11th Annual Minnesota Football Honors on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. The event is presented by the Minnesota Vikings and is the largest football awards event in Minnesota. Doors open at 2 p.m. for the 4 p.m. event. The event is open to the public. Tickets are on sale now. For tickets and additional information about this year’s Minnesota Football Honors, please visit www.minnesotafootballhonors.com. For sponsorship information, please email lindsay@nffmn.org.

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About the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation:
The Minnesota Chapter of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and develop the power of amateur football in developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive spirit and academic excellence in Minnesota’s young people. The MN 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, Facebook or Twitter.

Contact:
Lindsay Lommel, Event Manager
MN Chapter of The National Football Foundation
lindsay@nffmn.org