Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

Fred Mitchell Award Press Release

Dec. 1, 2025 - North Central College kicker Aidan Ellison has been named a semifinalist for the Fred Mitchell Award, which honors the top kicker across NCAA College Divisions, including the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior colleges.

Established in 2009, the award recognizes both athletic excellence and community service. Out of more than 750 eligible institutions, 36 players were named to the preseason watch list. Ellison is one of 41 semifinalists nationwide, and one of just six Division III kickers represented. He is the first North Central kicker to earn semifinalist recognition.

Ellison has rewritten the Cardinals' record books this season, converting 12 of 13 field goals in the regular season. His school-record 57-yard field goal against Augustana College stands as the longest made kick in Division III football this year. He also connected from 51, 50 and 49 yards, placing himself in the program's top 10 longest field goals four times. His 92.9 percent accuracy ranks second nationally among Division III kickers.

The Fred Mitchell Award Selection Committee will narrow the list of semifinalists to a Top 10 in the coming days.

Ellison and the Cardinals continue their postseason run Saturday, hosting the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse at noon in the NCAA Division III Championship Third Round at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.