Hays one of few in Kansas to receive scholar-athlete honor

Uniontown senior Chad Hays throws a pass in a September 2006 game at Riverton. Hays was recently honored as one of just 11 high-school football players in the state to receive the National Football Foundation's Scholar-Athlete award. He will accept the award at a banquet at Kansas State University on May 5. (Tribune file photo)

UNIONTOWN -- Uniontown High School senior Chad Hays was one of just 11 men in the state of Kansas to earn the honor of National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete.

Hays, who helped lead the Eagle football team to the Regional round of the Class 2-1A Playoffs this past season at quarterback and in the defensive backfield, will receive the honor at a banquet to be held at Kansas State University on May 3.

"It feels good to know that all the hard work paid off not only in the weight room but in the classroom, too," Hays said this morning.

Hays will join the football team at Pittsburg State University this fall. He said he wasn't sure if he would redshirt, as most PSU freshmen do. He said he would like to be given a chance to play offense but will play defense if that is where the coaches feel he will best help the team.

Hays is at least the third Uniontown player to sign with Pitt State in the last decade. Brothers Levi and Jeremy Neville played defensive back during their careers at PSU.