NFF Release
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University senior linebacker
David Franta (Winnebago, Minn./Blue Earth Area) will receive the 2018 Stein-Fallon Scholar-Athlete Award from the Minnesota chapter of the National Football Foundation (NFF) at the 11th annual Minnesota Football Awards, presented by the Minnesota Vikings, on Sunday, April 29, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The award is in honor of former University of Minnesota football student-athlete Bob Stein and the late Pat Fallon, who was the CEO of Fallon Worldwide and a Minnesota graduate. The Stein-Fallon Scholar-Athlete Award is awarded to one senior football student-athlete from a Minnesota college or university who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, football leadership and community citizenship.
The doors open at 2 p.m., followed by the dinner and awards ceremony at 4 p.m. The event is open to the public and seating is limited. Johnnies are encouraged to wear a red tie to the event. Tickets ($25-40) are available at www.nffmn.org.
Fellow linebacker Carter Hanson '17, a childhood friend and high-school teammate of Franta, won last year's Stein-Fallon Scholar-Athlete Award.
The Minnesota chapter will also honor former head coach
John Gagliardi and the 1976 Saint John's NCAA Division III national champion football team with the 2018 Murray Warmath Legendary Team Award at the event.
A four-time Dean's List (minimum 3.80 GPA) and three-time Academic All-MIAC (minimum 3.50 GPA) honoree, Franta is a nursing major with a 3.83 GPA. He 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. Franta intends to pursue a master's degree in nursing or continue his education in the field of anesthesiology following graduation in May. He was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's Campbell Trophy last fall.
Franta, who moved from outside to inside linebacker last fall, led the team with 73 tackles (45 solo) and three forced fumbles en route to D3football.com All-West Region third-team and All-MIAC first-team honors. He tied for fourth in the MIAC with 33 solo tackles in conference play. SJU's defense ended the regular season ranked in the top 12 in NCAA Division III in a number of categories: second in total defense (196.5 ypg.), scoring defense (8.3 ppg.) and pass-efficiency defense (82.17); third in passing defense (121.7 ypg.); fourth in first downs allowed (115); fifth in third-down defense (21.5 percent); ninth in defensive touchdowns (4); and 12th in rushing defense (74.8 ypg.).
In the community, Franta volunteered with Kids Against Hunger in March 2017, where he helped pack over 82,400 meals to benefit Somalia and local food shelves. He has also helped the SJU football team raise money for Tackle Cancer and the "Up Till Dawn" campaign, collecting donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital the last three seasons.
He conducted clinicals (four hours once a week during fall semester 2016, four hours twice a week during spring semester 2017) at St. Cloud Hospital, where he was paired with a veteran from the St. Cloud VA Hospital. Franta also volunteered a total of 16 hours, providing educational, community outreach at Prince of Peace Lutheran School in Sartell. He interned at the Mayo Clinic's Progressive Care unit during summer 2017 and is working with Stearns County Public Health this academic year.
