Durangoan Max Hyson has been named the National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter's 2022 All-Colorado Scholar-Athlete of the Year for his efforts and achievements both on the field and in the classroom.
Hyson was one of 16 of Fort Lewis College football players tabbed with NFFCC Academic All-Colorado honors.
“Max has been one of the best academic student-athletes we've ever had,” head coach Johnny Cox said. “On and off the field, Max has had such a fantastic career. We always use the term student-athlete, and Max has set the bar and demonstrated what it means to put the student aspect first. I believe he has set a fine example for what we want out of our players academically, and I hope future Skyhawks will follow in his footsteps. For him to be able to represent the entire state of Colorado from a Division II college down here in Durango is just amazing. I'm proud to have been a part of his final season and wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors.”
Owning a 3.89 grade-point average, Hyson has focused his studies on cell and molecular biology. Last year, Hyson worked with Dr. David Blake on a senior thesis project studying Leishmaniasis and presented his findings at the undergraduate research symposium. Off-campus, Hyson has been dedicated to supporting his community, assisting emergency room doctors with trauma research. Hyson is looking at applying to medical school in the coming months.
This season Hyson earned his second-straight First Team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Academic honor.
On the field, Hyson, a defensive lineman, led Fort Lewis in tackles for loss (9.0 for 31 yards), sacks (4.5 for 20 yards), quarterback hits (4), and forced fumbles (2) while matching five Skyhawks with one fumble recovery and finishing fifth in total tackles with 48.0.
Hyson, a Durango native, was a finalist for the award back in 2021 and winner of Fort Lewis' Male Done Whalen Academic Athletic of the Year.
Other finalists for this year's award include Daniel Arias (University of Colorado), Andrew Cook (Colorado State University-Pueblo), Kaleb Gaster (Western Colorado University), Dequan Jackson (Colorado State University), Dagan Rienks (Colorado Mesa University) and John Matocha (Colorado School of Mines), the winner of the 2022 Harlon Hill Award given to Division II's most outstanding player.
The criteria to qualify include a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, through the fall 2022 semester, for first-team status (3.0-3.29 for honorable mention) and if they had to be considered regular performers in any/all three phases of the game.
Matthew Waid, a senior with a 3.81 GPA majoring in history, leads seven other Skyhawks in earning Academic All-Colorado First Team honors. Others First Team members include Ryan Barkley (3.36 GPA, environmental studies), Noa Lukelo (3.58 GPA, communication design), Christopher Ponce (3.53 GPA, business administration), Christopher Thomas Jr. (3.73 GPA, marketing), Tristen Williams (3.68 GPA, exercise physiology) and Braden Wingle (3.78 GPA, sociology).
Eight additional Skyhawks notched Academic All-Colorado Honorable Mention honors, including Noah Salazar (3.29 GPA, business administration), Croix Burney (3.28 GPA, psychology), Drake Cortez (3.04 GPA, business administration), Brayden Miller (3.28 GPA, business administration), Peyton Monson (3.25 GPA, business administration), Calvin Raab (3.15 GPA, business administration), Durangoan Jordan Stanley (3.23, GPA, business administration) and Ethan Tinsley (3.07 GPA, undecided).
Skyhawks football is currently completing its first full off season under coach Cox and his staff. Fort Lewis has a plethora of spring practice dates, as well as an open scrimmage at 4 p.m. April 15 and a spring game at 4 p.m. April 22.
