The Mundelein High School football program is one of three in Illinois to be chosen as a finalist in the inaugural National Football Foundation’s (NFF) Academic Excellence Award.

The NFF will announce the winner of its National High School Academic Excellence Award from among 62 finalists in 13 states on Feb. 9. The initiative is designed to inspire and foster a culture of academic excellence on high school football teams throughout the nation.

In the application for the award, MHS Superintendent Kevin Myers spoke how the program helps students to grow and improve off the field as well as on the field.

“The Mundelein High School Football program is about developing the intellect, integrity and character of the players,” Myers said. “Varsity Football Coach Vince DeFrancesco and his staff develop young men and women by setting clear expectations for their athletes.”

DeFrancesco regularly emphasizes to his players, “you’re a student first.” If his student-athletes are not meeting the program's academic expectations they must seek out extra support and improve the grade before returning to the field.

Besides meeting academic requirements, part of the expectation is that players are active in the community. Throughout the year, MHS team members volunteer in the community at various events.

“I’m proud to say that once they graduate and leave our football family we know they will be caring and contributing members of society.”

The 62 finalists from each division of play were selected by the individual states' high school coaches associations from a pool of semifinalists submitted by each school's head coach. A selection committee, created by the NFF, will be responsible for choosing one school as the recipient of the National High School Academic Excellence Award.