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

Fred Mitchell Award Press Release
Live Announcement on 670 The Score

Dec. 11, 2025 - For only the second time in the award's history, an NCAA Division III kicker has captured the Fred Mitchell Award, as North Central College's Aidan Ellison earns the 2025 honor following one of the most accomplished kicking campaigns in program history.

Ellison was selected from more than 750 eligible kickers across FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA programs. The award recognizes excellence on the field as well as commitment to community service.

On the field, Ellison has converted 12 consecutive field goals and finished the season 13-for-14 overall. He is 3-for-4 from beyond 50 yards, including a career-long 57-yarder—the longest made field goal in North Central history. His 51-, 50- and 49-yard makes also rank among the program's 10 longest. Ellison's 92.9 percent field goal accuracy stands second in Division III.

Off the field, Ellison has built a strong record of service. In high school, he participated in the Young Men's Service League (YMSL), teaching children with disabilities to play a variety of sports and helping stage a Wizard of Oz play for kids with disabilities. While attending Arkansas State University, he assisted with tornado relief efforts and volunteered at elementary schools and retirement homes. Since transferring to North Central, Ellison has contributed to Bike Bald, Hesed House in Aurora, and Feed My Starving Children, where he and teammates packed 197 boxes totaling more than 46,000 meals for children worldwide.

Ellison will be formally presented with the Fred Mitchell Award at the National Football Foundation Metro Chicago Chapter Awards Ceremony on Feb. 16, 2026, in Chicago.

North Central takes on the only other unbeaten team in Division III on Saturday when the Cardinals host No. 4/3 Bethel University (Minn.) for a noon kickoff inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.