Senior linebacker Scott Barriger (Prescott/Whittemore-Prescott) has been selected as the recipient of the Morley Fraser Award, given to a Division III football player who demonstrates academic achievement, football ability and leadership. The award is given annually by the Awards Committee of the Michigan Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Barriger, a captain this season, helped lead the Scots to the 2004 MIAA Championship with 64 solo tackles and 56 assists, averaging 12.5 per game. He made 15.5 tackles-for-loss for 39 yards with two interceptions and four pass breakups en route to an 8-3 overall record and a 6-1 mark in league play, and the team’s third NCAA Playoff berth in the history of the College. Barriger finished the season at seventh place in the nation in total tackles and 27th in solo tackles. He also helped the Scots to the 2002 MIAA Championship with an undefeated league record of 6-0 that season.
For his career, the Prescott native amassed 314 tackles (165 solo), including 34 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He made five interceptions for 73 yards with 10 pass breakups in four years with the Scots. He is a two-time All-MIAA performer, earning conference recognition in 2003 and 2004. He is also a two-time Academic All-MIAA honoree.
Alma split the 1999 MIAA Championship in a three-way tie with Albion and Hope. Prior to that, the only Scot teams to finish their careers with multiple conference championships were the 1970-72 teams when Alma won co-championships with Adrian and the 1967 and 1968 teams that won the title outright.
Alma College alumnus and former football standout David Simpson received the Morley Fraser Award as a senior in 2002.
– Lindsay Carpenter
