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Navidad Named Fred Mitchell Award Week 5 Kicker of the Week

Navidad Named Fred Mitchell Award Week 5 Kicker of the Week
September 29, 2025

CONTACT: Julia Quinlan, j.quinlan@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7863 or (518) 530-7376
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Monday, September 29, 2025

Hudson Valley Community College kicker Jared Navidad has been recognized as the Week 5 Kicker of the Week by the Fred Mitchell Award committee, an honor selected from a national pool of more than 750 collegiate kickers across the FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and NJCAA levels.

Navidad's selection comes on the heels of a record-setting performance in the Vikings' 42–14 win over Erie Community College. The freshman kicker single-handedly kept Hudson Valley in the game early, hitting a program-record five straight field goals before the Vikings' offense erupted for three touchdowns and 21 fourth-quarter points to secure the victory.

His five field goals came from a wide range of distances and included multiple program milestones:

  • 53 yards in the second quarter — the longest field goal in program history

  • 48 yards just before halftime to give the Vikings a 12–7 lead with 18 seconds left in the first half

  • 24, 42, and 29 yards in the third quarter, accounting for all nine of Hudson Valley's points in the frame

Erie briefly regained the lead at halftime after returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but Navidad continued to deliver, finishing the day with 17 total points, outscoring the Kats by himself.

Following the game, the Fred Mitchell Award committee highlighted his exceptional performance:

"Jared Navidad of Hudson Valley Community College (NJCAA) had a monster week going 5-5 on FGs to include kicks of 53, 48, 42, 29 and 24. Navidad represents the first 5 FG performance of the year!! Navidad is now 9-10 on the season."
— Fred Mitchell Award on X

Navidad now sits at 9-for-10 on field goal attempts this season and has established himself as one of the top special teams performers in the nation.

About the Fred Mitchell Award

The Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate place-kicker across more than 750 FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and NJCAA programs. Named after Fred Mitchell — a record-setting kicker, Wittenberg University Athletic Hall of Famer, author, philanthropist, and longtime Chicago Tribune sports columnist — the award honors excellence on the field and service in the community.

The Watch List is released in August, top kickers are recognized throughout the season, and the national winner is announced in mid-December. The recipient's school receives scholarship funds, and the Fred Mitchell Award trophy is presented each February at the National Football Foundation Chicago Metro Chapter Awards Ceremony at Halas Hall.