Springfield, Ohio – Offensive lineman Tyler Compston (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield), safety Gabe Cunningham (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) and tight end Clay Mangen (Union, Ohio/Northmont) are among 817 student-athletes from 278 schools who qualified for induction into the National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society following the 2014 season. 

To be nominated for the Hampshire Honor Society, student-athletes must have been a starter or significant contributor in their final season of eligibility while achieving at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average and meeting all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements and graduation. 

Compston was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter on the offensive line for the Tigers, helping to clear the way for some of the most prolific offensive units in Wittenberg history. The Tigers ranked second in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) in scoring at 37 points per game and first in passing offense with more than 275 yards per contest in 2014. 

Cunningham made his first and only season as a full-time starter an outstanding one as he earned honorable mention All-NCAC honors for his stellar play at safety. Cunningham finished fifth on the team in tackles with 56, including 32 solo stops, and he also accounted for four interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick in the 2014 season. 

Mangen also made the most of his first and only season as a starter, stepping into the tight end position and earning honorable mention All-NCAC for his performance. Primarily utilized as a blocker, Mangen stepped into the passing routes enough to catch 12 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. 

Wittenberg bounced back from a season-opening loss to NCAA Division I FCS opponent Butler to win its fifth NCAC title in the last six years and league-best 13th since joining the NCAC in 1989. The Tigers were defeated in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Division III Tournament by Washington & Jefferson to finish with records of 9-2 overall and 9-0 in the NCAC. 

The Tigers will open the 2015 season with a road game against Capital Saturday, Sept. 5. Wittenberg will kick off the NCAC campaign two weeks later against Ohio Wesleyan on the turf at Edwards-Maurer Field.

Written By: Ryan Maurer