Hofrichter Named Senior CLASS Award Finalist

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Syracuse redshirt senior punter Sterling Hofrichter is one of the 10 finalists for the 2019 Senior CLASS Award in college football. Finalists were chosen by a selection committee from the 30 candidates announced earlier this season based on the personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

A graduate student in Syracuse University's David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, Hofrichter holds a bachelor's degree in health and exercise science. He is pursuing his master's degree in public health. Hofrichter is a four-time SU Athletic Director's Honor Roll selection (min. 3.0 GPA) and was named to the 2016-17 ACC Honor Roll (min. 3.0 GPA).

Hofrichter's community service work includes serving as a guest speaker at the Onondaga Country Justice Center, as well as participating in the Syracuse University School of Education's SU Fit Families program. SU Fit Families was formerly a research-based physical activity program that offered workshops to assess families with children with autism on a variety of physical skills. He also worked as a station leader at the 2015 Fort Drum Football Youth Clinic and took part in the 2018 Camping World Bowl Day for Kids.

On the field, Hofrichter is one of the most accomplished punters in the country. A preseason All-ACC selection and Ray Guy Award candidate, he ranks 17th nationally in gross punting average. At 45 yards per punt, Hofrichter is on pace to surpass Sean Reali's 1996 team record for single-season average (43.6). Additionally, he has powered the Orange to No. 2 in the country in net punting (43.9 avg.).

Hofrichter leads the ACC with 21 punts inside the opposition's 20-yard line and 18 punts of 50+ yards. He's been named the ACC Specialist of the Week twice this season.

In 45 career games, Hofrichter has punted 251 times for 10,875 yards. His average of 43 yards per punt is currently on pace to be the second-best figure in program history.

Nationwide fan voting begins immediately and continues through Dec. 9 to help select the 2019 Senior CLASS Award winner. Fan votes will be combined with votes by media and Division I head coaches to determine this year's recipient. The winner will be announced in early January.

For more on this year's finalists and to vote, visit SeniorCLASSAward.com.

2019 Senior CLASS Award Finalists (Football)
Derrick Brown, Auburn
Dominik Eberle, Utah State
Justin Herbert, Oregon
Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Zack Moss, Utah
Zach Shackelford, Texas
Jon Wassink, Western Michigan
Evan Weaver, Cal
Dustin Woodard, Memphis

For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Sterling Hofrichter

Related Videos