Bollinger, Hartman win awards at LVSA banquet

NORTHAMPTON — Being successful both on and off the field was a theme Sunday evening at the 60th annual National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Lehigh Valley Scholar-Athlete banquet at the Northampton Banquet and Event Center.

While there were 32 representatives from District 11 and Lehigh Valley high schools, along with six collegiate student-athletes present, two area products came away with the prestigious, sought-after hardware when it was all said and done.

Tyler Hartman of Jim Thorpe received the Edward J. Watto Community Service Award, while Northwestern’s Deven Bollinger earned the Scholar-Athlete Award to highlight the ceremony Sunday night.

The Community Service Award was given to the student-athlete that best exemplified giving back to his community.

“This is an honor to be up here receiving this award,” said Hartman. “I just enjoy helping others, and want to give back as much that I can. I’m glad to be able to help others.”

As the night’s final award, Bollinger also was proud to accept the recognition.

“This means a lot to me,” said Bollinger. “I love playing football, but I also know that playing the sport doesn’t last forever, and having a future outside of the football field is important. I am grateful for this honor.”

On the gridiron, the duo has seen success both as individuals, but also as a team. But they’ve also proved hard work pays off in the classroom and community as well.

An offensive guard, Hartman ranks 11th out of 127 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, and earned First-Team All-Conference offensive honors. He is a member of the Powerlifting Team, Scholastic Scrimmage, PA Junior Academy of Science, History Club, served as Class Vice-President, and participates in varsity baseball. He is a Dual-Enrollment student at LCCC, and earned Dean’s List there. He is a Student Rotarian, organized and led a gift drive for chronically ill clients through Turn to Us, and volunteers with the National Night Out program. He is a youth baseball instructor, and is active in his Church.

A quarterback and defensive back, Bollinger ranks 17th out of 179 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and Curricular Honor Society. He earned First-Team All-State and First-Team All-Conference offensive honors, and was twice the Times News Football Player of the Year. He is a Student Government Class Officer, member of the Key Club, and plays varsity basketball. He also volunteers with Special Olympics.

The duo exemplified the words of the night’s guest speaker, Jim Clements. The head coach of Kutztown University’s football team talked about, ‘being confident in yourself. Don’t say no out of fear. Embrace diversity. Surround yourself with different people and see things out of their perspective.’

The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame continues to promote the student-athlete portion each and every year.