Jordan Hall, Sam Edwards Earn Awards at Spartan Academic Excellence Gala

Jordan Hall, Sam Edwards, 2025 Academic Gala

Jordan Hall, Director of Academic Services/Head Football Academic Coordinator Mandy Chandler, and Sam Edwards at the 2025 Spartan Academic Excellence Gala.

Jordan Hall, Sam Edwards Earn Awards at Spartan Academic Excellence Gala

4/16/2025 11:42:00 AM | Football

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State football student-athletes were recognized at the 28th annual Spartan Academic Excellence Gala on Monday night at the Breslin Center.

For the third consecutive year, Sam Edwards earned the team's Scholar-Athlete Award, which is presented to the individual from each program who is in at least their third season at MSU, has received a minimum of one varsity letter, has competed during the 2024-2025 season and while meeting these requirements, maintains the highest cumulative grade point average on their team.

Sam Edwards 2025 Academic Gala

The Williamston, Michigan, native and Lansing Catholic product has excelled in the classroom, earning Academic All-District honors for the second consecutive season in 2024, and was on the final ballot for the Academic All-America Team. He graduated with a double major in political theory and constitutional democracy / international relations in May 2024, finished his minor in political economy in December 2024, and started a master's program in marketing research in the 2025 spring semester. He also garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors for the fourth year in a row. Edwards was named to the NCAA Division I Football Student-Athlete Connection Group earlier this year. A four-year letterwinner who has played in 29 career games at MSU, Edwards will return for his sixth and final season with the Spartans in 2025.

Hall was named the male recipient of the Harold & Raynor Shnider Office of the Provost Award, which is presented to a freshman or sophomore student-athlete who embodies the characteristics promoted by Student-Athlete Support Services. Emphasis is placed on academic performance, community involvement, and leadership ability.

Jordan Hall 2025 Academic Gala

A rising star in both academics and athletics at MSU, Hall is already making a significant impact as a student-athlete. A two-time varsity letterwinner and a recipient of the Dean's List honor in Spring 2023, Hall's academic and athletic achievements reflect his commitment to excellence. His passion for leadership and personal development is also showcased by his two-year involvement in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and his attendance at the 2024 Black Student-Athlete Summit. His efforts to give back to the community reflect his dedication to making a positive impact both on and off the field. The criminal justice major actively participates in numerous outreach initiatives including March is Reading Month, Team Impact, and hosts an annual Youth Football Camp.

A total of 44 Spartans on the football team were recognized at Monday's academic gala; to qualify for the annual SASS event, student-athletes must be in at least their third semester at MSU and have obtained a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or have earned a 3.00 or higher GPA during the 2024 calendar year. Graduates are recognized as well.

Football Honorees at 2025 Spartan Academic Excellence Gala:
Tarik Ahmetbasic, Mechanical Engineering
Gavin Broscious, Communication
Grant Calcagno, Advertising Management
Aidan Chiles, Human Development & Family Studies
Caleb Coley, Communication
Jay Coyne, Food Industry Management
Dorian Davis, Kinesiology
Cole Dellinger, Criminal Justice
Justin Denson Jr., Advertising Management
Quindarius Dunnigan, Lifelong Education
Ryan Eckley, Kinesiology
Sam Edwards, Marketing Research & Analytics (master's)
Caleb Gash, Economics
Zach Gillespie, Urban and Regional Planning
Jordan Hall, Criminal Justice
Ryland Jessee, Special Education-Learning Disabilities
DJ Kennard, Advertising Management
Ashton Lepo, Communication
Charlton Luniewski, Advertising Management
Mercer Luniewski, Advertising Management
Khalil Majeed, Criminal Justice
Michael Masunas, Management
Wayne Matthews III, Interdisciplinary Studies
Jacob Merritt, Communication
Alessio Milivojevic, Finance
David Millikin, Economics
Ben Nelson, Marketing
Brennan Parachek, Communication
Brady Pretzlaff, Finance
Stanton Ramil, History: Social Studies Education
Kaden Schickel, Communication
Armorion Smith, Criminal Justice
Shawn Smith, Communication
Darius Snow, Media Analytics (graduate certificate)
Malik Spencer, Human Resources & Labor Relations
Dillon Tatum, Advertising Management
Jalen Thompson, Advertising Management
Brandon Tullis, Business Preference
Alex VanSumeren, Criminal Justice
Jack Velling, Advertising Management
Carson Voss, Human Biology
Ade Willie, Communication
Jaxson Wilson, Advertising Management
Jack Yanachik, Economics