SELINSGROVE, PA - Susquehanna junior kicker/punter Dominic Bourgeois has been named one of 41 semifinalists across FCS and NCAA Divisions II and III for The Fred Mitchell Award, which recognizes 41 placekickers for their excellence on the football field throughout the 2025 season.

The Fred Mitchell Award recognizes kickers that were nominated for their terrific performances through the end of the regular season. The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in December based on performance on the football field and in the community. As the River Hawks' full-time kicker, punter and kickoff specialist this fall, Bourgeois has excelled in all three roles. His field goal scoring has arguably been the bright spot, setting a school record at 17-of-17 on the season, which leads all Division III placekickers this season. A six-time Landmark Conference Specialist of the Week, Bourgeois' highlights include making four field goals in two games. These efforts proved useful as it allowed Susquehanna to run away with a 33-14 win over Union in the season opener, then a 26-3 victory against Wilkes to clinch the Landmark title. He is 4-for-4 on field goals of 40 or more yards, including a season-long 42 yards. 

The namesake for the award, Fred Mitchell, was a longtime (1974–2015) award-winning sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune and the author of 12 sports books. Mitchell set the NCAA record for career kick-scoring at Wittenberg University in 1968 among "College Division" schools that are now classified as FCS, Division II and Division III.

"The volume of high-quality non-FBS place-kickers has reached a new level in 2025 when it comes to field goal distances and accuracy," said Fred Mitchell. "Our FMA Selection Committee will be narrowing down this national semi-final list of 40 premium kickers to a Top 10 in the coming days. Factoring in the important criteria of community service, we hope to come up with the very best of the best."

The breakdown of the 41 place-kickers is as follows:

• Collegiate Division – 23 FCS, 8 Division II, 6 Division III, 1 NAIA, 2 NJCAA, and 1 3C2A