POCATELLO, Idaho - After a breakout season for the Bengals in 2024, Idaho State placekicker Gabe Panikowski has been announced as the winner of this year's Fred Mitchell Award. The award is presented to the nation's top collegiate placekicker in the FCS, Division II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA not only for their performance on the field but for their community service efforts.
Panikowski is the third kicker in the Big Sky Conference to win the award. Ronald Alcobendas won the award in 2018 for Eastern Washington and Luis Aguilar won in 2019 with Northern Arizona.
The award, which dates back to 2009, is named for Fred Mitchell, an All-American place-kicker from Wittenberg University and a sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune.
"We are thrilled to announce Idaho State junior Gabe Panikowski as the 2024 winner of the Fred Mitchell Award, which recognizes the top placekicker among over 750 non-FBS colleges in America. His combination of accuracy (15 for 15, 100 percent) and distance (long of 55 yards) on his field goals stood out to the 37-man Selection Committee, as well as his proven commitment to community service," said Mitchell.
The award's Selection Committee Co-Chairman Matt Cotiguala said, "Gabe is only the fourth underclassman to win the award, which has been issued since 2009. All of the finalists this year brought incredible credentials for our review and we tip our caps to them for their spectacular seasons. We look forward to presenting Gabe with the Fred Mitchell Award trophy on Feb. 17 during the National Football Foundation Chicago Chapter ceremony."
Panikowski had an impressive season kicking for Idaho State. Panikowski drilled 15-of-15 field goals during the season, the only kicker in the FCS with 14+ made field goals that also finished the season with a 100% kick rate. Against the Cal Poly Mustangs, Panikowski kicked a walk-off field goal to win the game for the Bengals. Against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, Panikowski kicked the 2nd furthest field goal in the FCS in 2024, 55 yards.
Of his 15 field goals, three were from 20-29 yards, nine came from 30-39, one was in the 40-49 yard range and Panikowski drilled two 50+ yarders during the season. In PAT attempts, Panikowski hit 44-of-47 during the season, a 93.6 success rate.
Off of the field, Gabe has worked diligently in the community. On top of working Thanksgiving food drives, Panikowski helped with multiple holiday drives including toy and food drives. In partnership with a local senior center, Panikowski has volunteered his time helping local senior citizens with home projects and labor that they are unable to do. Panikowski has been vocal about passing knowledge on to the next generation of kickers. In hosting, including driving and housing, Pankiowski has helped mentor and work with kickers looking to play in the NCAA.
Finally, one of his most important projects, Gabe is an adoption advocate. At the age of 7 Gabe and his three siblings were placed for and subsequently adopted after his birth mother was unable to care for the children. Starting in high school, Gabe has had multiple opportunities to work for adoption advocacy and is a constant vocal supporter of the service.
Panikowski will be honored Feb. 15-17 in Chicago, IL as he receives the award.
