Fresh from one of the most outstanding seasons in Linfield College history, Josh Kay (Sr., Salem, Ore.) is among 10 finalists for the Fred Mitchell Award, presented annually to the college placekicker who excels on the football field and in the community. The honoree is chosen from the Football Championship Subdivision, NCAA Division II, III, NAIA and NJCAA.

The award recipient will be announced Thursday, Dec. 15. The award will be presented in February at the National Football Foundation Chicago Chapter Awards Ceremony.

“It is incredible to be chosen as a finalist for such a distinguished award,” said Kay, a junior majoring in business.

“I recognize that the award is presented not only to the guy with the best overall statistics, but to the player with the best display of service to the community,” he said. “I believe everyone should take the time to give back. Whether it is volunteering your time and effort, or creating something yourself that you can share in a more personal way. (Serving the community) has been one of the more fulfilling things I've ever done.”

Statistically, Kay enjoyed a remarkable junior campaign in which he was all but perfect on the field.

Kay led Linfield in scoring in 2011, netting 103 points by making 16-of-19 field goals and 55-of-56 extra points. He received a first team Northwest Conference and West Region all-star recognition.

His 16 total field goals made ranked second on Linfield’s single-season list behind record-holder Garrett Wales’ mark of 18 set in the Wildcats’ national championship season of 2004.

In a 73-7 victory over Puget Sound this fall, Kay set a Linfield single-game record by converting all of his 10 extra-point attempts. He was a flawless 4-of-4 on field goals in a championship-clinching 47-14 victory over Lewis & Clark.

Kay booted four field goals of 40 yards or longer, including a season-best 49-yarder against Puget Sound.

He began the season by successfully converting 35 extra points without a miss before suffering his first miscue (a block) at Menlo. It would be the only extra point he would fail to convert the entire season.

Twice was named NWC Special Teams Player of the Week, Kay averaged 62 yards on 30 kickoffs and was a major weapon in Linfield’s run to the 2011 NWC championship.

In the community service realm, Kay worked as a football camp volunteer for the "See Ya Later" Foundation. He is helping the same foundation develop and manage a youth golf camp for the spring of 2012 with the goal of reaching 150 local kids.

An accomplished golfer, he competed on the links for the Wildcats where he helped Linfield capture the NWC team championship last spring. He was among the Linfield delegation that represented the college at the 2011 NCAA Division III Championships.