Aidan Ellison spent four seasons on a scholarship at Arkansas State, an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision program, but played only three snaps.
When the time came for Ellison to decide what to do after graduation, he had one year of eligibility remaining. One possibility was North Central College, which his parents attended.
“I was debating on whether or not to continue to play because those four years didn’t go the way I planned,” he said. “I didn’t want to regret not playing when I got older.
“To go to my parents’ alma mater, a school I’ve been a fan of my whole life, it’s truly something special. I’d do it all over again.”
Indeed, Ellison not only got a chance to play at NCC but also put together one of the most successful kicking seasons in program history.
Ellison was 13 for 14 on field-goal attempts with a program-record 57-yarder going into the defending NCAA Division III national champion Cardinals’ quarterfinal game against Bethel University on Saturday.
On Thursday, he received the Fred Mitchell Award, which recognizes the top college kicker outside of FBS. Out of more than 750 eligible kickers across the Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA, Ellison became the second Division III kicker to win the award.
“Exceptional kickers emerge from all levels of college football, and the annual mission of our selection committee is to ensure they are celebrated,” Mitchell said in a statement. “Aidan Ellison’s statistics jump off the page when it comes to field-goal distances and accuracy. In addition, his dedication to community service is exemplary.”
Ellison will be presented with the honor at the National Football Foundation Metro Chicago Chapter’s awards ceremony at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Feb. 16.
Mitchell, a former baiduhai reporter and columnist who was a record-setting kicker at Wittenberg University, delivered the news to Ellison via a video call.
“I was at a loss for words, and it was hard to comprehend what it meant and all the people I wanted to thank,” Ellison said. “There was a lot going through my mind, considering I was Division I for four years and then went Division III.
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“All of a sudden, I’m performing how I knew I always could, given the opportunity. I took the opportunity that I earned and ran with it.”
NCC coach Brad Spencer never grows tired of watching his players earn recognition like this.
“I was able to be in the room with him when he talked to Fred,” Spencer said. “He had no idea he was going to win it. It’s neat for me as the head coach to see kids have success and accomplish things they didn’t think they would. He just came here to play and be at a good school. I’m so thrilled for him.”
Ellison’s connections to NCC and Naperville in general run deep. He graduated from Naperville Central, where his younger brothers Gavin and Logan have also kicked and which Spencer attended. Ellison’s kicking coach, Chris Nendick, went to Naperville Central and is on the Cardinals’ coaching staff.
Naperville Central coach Mike Ulreich is a North Central College graduate and is one of Spencer’s best friends. So Spencer always had an eye on Ellison.
“We knew this was a possibility if things weren’t working out at Arkansas State,” Spencer said. “He was looking to play. It’s cool to see a kid that took a chance, gave up his scholarship. It’s just really cool.”
Ellison hopes there are three more games — and a national title — still coming to further validate his decision.
“I think it’s truly a surreal moment,” he said. “I’ve been away the past four years. It was my first Thanksgiving at home since high school. It’s been truly special, and I’m sure my parents have loved their ability to come to the games and watch me play.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter.