BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University senior kicker Ben Woodard has been named a finalist for the 2025 Fred Mitchell Award announced organization officials Thursday evening. Woodard is one of just 10 kickers vying for the honor and the lone Southland Conference representative. The list of finalists consists of eight from the NCAA FCS level, one from NCAA Division II and one NCAA Division III athlete.
 
The namesake for the award, Fred Mitchell, was a longtime (1974-2015) award-winning sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune and the author of 12 sports books. Mitchell set the NCAA record for career kick-scoring at Wittenberg University in 1968 among "College Division" schools that are now classified as FCS, NCAA Division II and Division III.
 
A 2025 first-team All-Southland Conference selection, Woodard was a force for the Red and White. A two-time SLC Special Teams Player of the Week honoree, Woodard received STATS Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week honors after he booted consecutive career-long field goals of more than 50 yards, including a game-winning, school-record tying, 57-yarder as time was running out to help propel Lamar to a win over UT Rio Grande Valley.
 
Woodard led the Southland with 14 made field goals this season, including three from at least 50 yards. He converted 14-of-18 (.778) attempts and was a perfect 30-of-30 on PAT. He ended the regular season tied for fourth in the league in scoring (72 points) and was a major factor in Lamar making its second run to the NCAA FCS Playoffs in program history (and the first since 2018).
 
In the 15-year history of the Award, the Southland Conference has never had a recipient. The winner will be announced the second week of December. The award will be formally presented at the National Football Foundation Metro Chicago Chapter Awards Ceremony Monday, Feb. 16^th in Chicago, Ill.