CLEVELAND – The Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) has selected the association's 23rd Annual Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

Anthony Egbo Jr. , defensive corner from Abilene Christian University, and Mark Gronowski, quarterback from South Dakota State University, were selected out of a field of eight finalists and 52 FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team honorees to receive a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship. 

"On behalf of the FCS ADA, I extend our congratulations to this year's recipients for their dedication to excellence, both on the football field and in the classroom, an honor that is truly commendable," stated FCS ADA President/1^st VP Mark Benson, director of athletics at the University at Albany." "We are proud to support your continued pursuit of academic achievement and professional success beyond athletics. Congratulations to each of you, as well as to your coaches, teammates, administrators, faculty, and families, for their invaluable support along the way."

A graduate student, Egbo served as the team captain in 2023 and will continue to finish his MBA. He plans to continue working in university administration with the President of Abilene Christian and will look to work in athletics down the road as a player/personnel coach with the goal to become an athletics director. 

On the year, Egbo earned the following accolades for his efforts on the field and in the classroom:

• National Honors 
  • Division I National SAAC Representative
  • Doris Robinson Award Finalist
  • College Sports Communicators Academic All-American
  • NCAA Leadership Forum Participant

• Abilene Christian and United Athletic Conference Honors 
  • 2023 Team Captain
  • First-Team All Conference
  • Two-time Conference Player of the Year
  • Abilene Christian Student-Athlete Advisory President
  • Abilene Christian Diversity Council Student-Athlete Representative
  • Commissioner's Honor Roll
  • Student-Athlete Representative for Football oversight committee

"First I want to say I'm grateful to my Dad Tony Sr, my Mom Stacy, and my 3 sisters and older brother. They've been rocks to me. Most importantly I thank Jesus for the opportunities and blessings that have been bestowed on me," said Egbo. "You know, starting my collegiate career as a walk-on, earning a scholarship was incredibly important not only to me but it was a promise I made to my family. Earning an athletic scholarship was a milestone, but this award means just as much. It's an expression of the determination and hard work put in these past few years.  It's a reflection of the army of people, namely my family, that have guided me into the man I am today. It's a reminding piece of the grace of God."

Gronowski, a junior, is completing his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in the spring of 2024 and plans on pursuing his master's degree in engineering management beginning in the fall. Gronowski holds a 3.7 cumulative GPA.  He is active in the community, has been a Special Olympics volunteer since 2016 and a Youth Flag Football Coach through Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) since 2021.

For his efforts on the field and in the classroom, Gronowski has earned the following awards:  

• National/Institutional Honors
  • Walter Payton Award Finalist
  • College Sports Communicators Academic All-American
  • Led FCS in passing efficiency (184.08)
• Missouri Valley Football Conference  
  • Team Captain (2x)
  • Co- Offensive Player of the Year
  • First Team All-Conference
  • Scholar-Athlete First Team (2x)
  • Threw a touchdown pass 10 out 11 games

"It's a real honor. There were a lot of great candidates that were up for (the award) — a lot of hard-working people, a lot of great players and great student-athletes overall. It's just really exciting and I feel honored to get this award because it shows all the hard work I've put into the classroom," stated Gronowski. "This really will help out with the financials and everything in that sense, but I'm really excited to continue my academic career."

CLICK HERE for the complete listing of the 2023 Academic All-Star team.

About the FCS ADA: Now in its 29th year, the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football. For more information on the FCS ADA, please visit www.fcsada.com. The FCS ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 59th year. For more information on NACDA and the 18 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.