Five Augustana football seniors have been recognized on a national stage for their work off the field. Toby Splitt, Ryan Gustafsson, Ben Ludlum, Levi Burke and Brett Holcomb were named to the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, joining 23,568 student-athletes from 691 schools across the country.
Since its creation in 2007, the Hampshire Honor Society has become one of the most prestigious academic honors in college football, recognizing players from all divisions who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. The selection of five Vikings highlights the program’s emphasis on academic success alongside athletic performance.
For many student-athletes, success in the classroom and on the field can feel like two separate challenges, but for players like senior Ryan Gustafsson, the connection between the two is clear. The habits built through early mornings, long practices and constant accountability don’t stay on the field, but they carry over into every aspect of their academic lives.
That crossover between athletics and academics isn’t always visible in stats or transcripts, but it plays a major role in shaping student-athletes into well-rounded individuals.
“A lot of the things I’ve learned throughout sports and football translated to the classroom,” Gustafsson said. “Obviously, the award recognizes classroom achievements, and being a part of football allowed me to get that award, but I think a lot of the disciplines and life lessons I’ve learned in football have translated over to the classroom, which allows me to have the success I have.”
Beyond individual discipline, much of the Vikings’ academic success is rooted in the culture built within the program itself. Success in the classroom isn’t treated as a personal goal; it’s something shared across the team, reinforced daily through accountability and support.
Senior Brett Holcomb is one player who sees that environment creates a sense of responsibility not just for oneself, but for teammates as well, turning academics into an extension of the team dynamic.
“Our program really emphasizes that we should be student-athletes, with students coming first,” Holcomb said. “Team culture is very positive on academics, a lot of us are in the same majors, and so a lot of us have the same classes together, and you don’t want to see your teammate fail, along with that. You always want your team to succeed, and again, we’re a team, so you don’t want one person to fail over the other.”
For younger athletes trying to navigate the demands of both academics and athletics, the path isn’t always smooth. Balancing practices, games and coursework can feel overwhelming, especially early on. Those who have gone through it understand that success doesn’t come all at once; it’s built through consistency and perseverance.
That perspective is something seniors like Levi Burke hope to pass down to the next set of student-athletes.
“Just stick with it,” Burke said. “You’re gonna have moments that are hard, and you’re gonna have moments where you want to quit, but just take one day at a time, put in the work and everything else will follow.”
As these five seniors close out their careers, their recognition by the NFF serves as more than just an academic honor; it reflects the culture, discipline and commitment that define the program. Their success shows that excellence isn’t limited to the field but is built just as much in the classroom. For the next generation of Vikings, their example sets the standard that being a student-athlete isn’t about balance alone; it’s about excelling in both.
