FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Football long snapper Ben Bachelier is one of 23 graduating seniors that were recognized with the prestigious Gold Axe Award for the fall semester at a ceremony at the DuBois Center on the Northern Arizona University campus.

"It was really cool to be nominated and a great honor to receive the award," said Bachelier, who will participate in graduation ceremonies next Friday. "It is great recognition for all the hard work I have put in. It is very important to my parents because they pushed from the beginning and stressed the importance of a good education."

The award is a tribute to outstanding academic performance, leadership and service to the community. The athletics department has produced 24 Gold Axe winners since 2004.

Bachelier has a 3.97 grade point average in exercise science and plans to attend graduate school to study physical therapy.

"I am excited to take the next step in life and move on to a career in physical therapy," said Bachelier. "I really like helping other people out and am interested in how the human body works and healing it."

Bachelier, a native of Rio Rico, Ariz., is a 2011 Capital One Academic All-America nominee. He garnered 2011 Capital One Academic All-District 8 honors and was a 2011 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award Semifinalist. He has been a two-time Big Sky All-Academic selection and three-time Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete recipient. He has received the Cynthia Bennett Award for excellence in academics twice at the football team banquet.

He served as the long snapper on special teams for the last four seasons, successfully completing over 200 snaps. He helped kicker Matt Myers and punter Drew Zamora both earn All-Big Sky honors in 2010.

The tradition of the Gold Axe Award dates back to 1933, a year after the student body adopted the axe as the symbol for Lumberjack athletics. It was then that NAU adopted the tradition of awarding small gold axe pins to outstanding members of the student body. The gold axe pin is still considered the official emblem of the Associated Students of NAU and is presented to recognize students' outstanding achievements and distinguished service to the university and the greater community.

Gold Axe Recipients Since 2001

2011, December

Ben Bachelier (Football)

2011

Lana Christensen (Swimming and Diving)

Anna Clark (Soccer)

Jenna Galloway (Women's Basketball)

Tori Howe (Soccer)

Arshiya Hoseyni (Track and Field)

2010

Jessi Jones (Swimming and Diving)

Lauren Salter (Track and Field)

Emy Ziemba (Cheer and Dance)

2009

Ali Carter (Women's Golf)

Maria Hechanova (Swimming and Diving)

2008

Rachel Blackman (Women's Basketball)

Danielle Borth (Swimming and Diving)

2007

Lindsey Carey (Women's Soccer)

Noel Larson (Women's Golf)

Susan McClelland (Women's Tennis)

Jeffrey Wheeler (Football, Track and Field)

2006

Kelly Busche (Swimming and Diving)

Elanor Butterfield (Volleyball)

Kelly Golob (Men's Basketball)

2005

Teresa Diaz (Women's Basketball), Presidential Prize

2004

Courtney McKenzie (Swimming and Diving)

Mark Gould (Football)

Leanna Olivar (Athletic Trainer)

2001

Danielle Weissbeck (Soccer)

Nina Queen (Cheer)