ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western senior kicker Tyler Basch was named to the Fred Mitchell Award 2018 Kickoff Watch List. The Fred Mitchell Award is an annual postseason award presented to the nation’s top non-FBS collegiate place-kicker for performance on the field and in the community.

Over 750 kickers across the nation are eligible for the Fred Mitchell Award. Basch was one of only 34 kickers named to the Preseason Watch List. The list includes kickers from 22 states and two countries, representing FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA institutions. Basch was the lone MIAA representative on the list and one of just 11 from NCAA Division II members. The full list released by the Fred Mitchell Award can be viewed here.

Basch enters the 2018 season as one of the top returning kickers in the nation. The 2017 second team All-MIAA selection led the MIAA with 17 (17-20) made field goals last season. Basch was also named MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week after going 4-for-4 against Lindenwood in week six. Basch was perfect from inside 40 yards, going 10-for-10 on attempts from those distances. Two of his three missed field goal attempts were from beyond 50 yards.

The watch list for the Fred Mitchell Award is released in August. Top performers are recognized monthly during the college football season, with the winner announced in mid-December.

— MWSU Athletics —