April 27, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Penn State football tight end Kyle Carter (Bear, Del.) and linebacker Ben Kline (Seven Valleys, Pa.) were honored for their accomplishments in the classroom when they were named to the National Football Foundation's 2016 Hampshire Honor Society.
In order to be considered for membership in the Hampshire Honor Society, a player must be a starter or significant contributor in his last year of eligibility who maintains a cumulative 3.20 grade point average or higher throughout the course of his undergraduate study at an accredited NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, or an NAIA college or university.
Carter graduated in December 2014 with a degree in kinesiology. He was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. Carter appeared in 46 games in his career with 19 starts. He earned a spot on the John Mackey Award watch list three times in his career. In 2015, he led all tight ends with 14 catches for 135 yards. His best performance of 2015 came against San Diego State when he pulled in three receptions for 47 yards, including a career-long 35-yard catch. He was selected as the Quarterback Club Award winner with Tarow Barney for the student-athlete who deserves special recognition.
In his junior season, he hauled in the game-tying touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone that set up Sam Ficken's game-winning extra point against Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Carter accounted for 18 catches for 222 yards and one touchdown in 2013. As a freshman, Carter was a consensus first-team Freshman All-American and All-Big Ten first team selection by the media after catching 36 passes for 453 yards and two scores. He averaged a career-high 12.6 yards per reception.
Kline was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District choice and three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He posted a perfect 4.0 GPA during the 2011 summer session and 2013 spring semester. Kline has posted a 3.50 GPA or higher in 12 of his 13 semesters on campus, including summer semesters and is a six-time Dean's List selection. He graduated with his degree in finance in December 2014 with a 3.76 cumulative GPA, in just three and a half years. He is working on his master's degree in international affairs. Additionally, Kline is a member of the Lion's Paw Senior Honor Society, a prestigious Student-Leadership Senior Honor Society with 14 members from the 2015 graduating class.
The Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania native was selected to the 2015 AFCA Good Works Team for his contributions to the community. Kline served as the President of Penn State's Uplifting Athletes chapter for two years. In 2014, Uplifting Athletes raised a record-breaking $140,000 for Kidney Cancer Awareness and Research at its Lift for Life event. Overall, the group raised a record $155,000 total in 2014. He was also involved in THON and Special Olympics during his time at Penn State. He is also the co-founding a student organization this summer that benefits an orphanage in Kenya. The orphanage has an academic partnership with Penn State, and Kline's organization supports that relationship.
The Nittany Lions open the 2016 campaign against Kent State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, September 3.
Penn State season ticket renewals and Nittany Lion Club membership renewals also are underway for the 2016 campaign, which includes five Big Ten home games for the first time. There will not be any increase in the price of Penn State football season tickets or Nittany Lion Club donation levels for next season.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2016 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.