Princeton U.’s Travis, TCNJ’s Maurice to be honored as college scholars at DelVal Dinner
Princeton University’s Jalen Travis and The College of New Jersey’s Jacob Maurice might line up on different sides of the ball, but both are very similar in their resolve on and off the field.
Travis and Maurice were key players for their teams this past fall and both also excel in the classroom and in giving back to the community.
Due to their accomplishments and leadership, Travis has been chosen as the Judge Arthur Lane/Princeton University ScholarLeader-Athlete and Maurice will receive the Earl H. Dean/The College of New Jersey Scholar-Leader-Athlete Award at the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s 62nd Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner.
The dinner is March 10 and begins at 2 p.m. at Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. Scholar-leader-athletes from 20 schools in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties are being honored with $1,000 scholarships. For dinner/ticket information contact Steve Tuckerson at 609-202-4166 or email delval.nffhf@gmail.com.
There will be several additional scholarships awarded at the dinner, $5,000 — Jack Stephen Scholarship, $4,000 Chapter Scholarship, $3,000 Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, $2,000 Ed Cook Scholarship and $1,500 Ed “Windy” Morris Scholarship.
The other ScholarLeader-Athlete seniors being honored are Allentown’s Luke Wiedau, Bordentown’s Myles Hansford, Ewing’s Tyler Seaton, Hamilton West’s Connor Mooney, Florence’s John Paul Dunphy, Hightstown’s Yasin Elhossieni, Hopewell Valley’s Nathan Tewell, Hun’s Dillon Bucchere, Lawrence’s Jaiveer Sunda, Lawrenceville’s Jack Rice, New Egypt’s Carter Hughes, Notre Dame’s John Beacham, Nottingham’s Antonio Martinez, Peddie’s Jackson Boone, Pennington’s John Thomas Shamsey, Princeton’s Evan Pease, Robbinsville’s Sebastian Leigh, Steinert’s Michael Rizzo, Trenton’s Damon Jennings and West Windsor-Plainsboro’s Ryan Beske.
Other Chapter Award winners to be honored include, Ron Anello, President Essex-Hudson Chapter (Robert F. Casciola Distinguished American), GridIron Social Group (George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football), Joe and Donna Frappolli, Florence High School (Distinguished Service Award), the Bordentown Bulldogs Connor Peters (Little Scholar), Devin DeFrance (Eunice Kennedy Shriver Champion), Bob Ziegler (Assistant Coaches Award), Joe O’Gorman (Tony Persichilli Meritorious Service Award).
It was a tough season for Travis as he battled injury, but during his time on the field he was a dominating left tackle. When he was not on the field the Tigers averaged 17.8 points a game and when he was they averaged 26.7.
A senior captain, Travis was a Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, second team All-Ivy and a member of the 2024 Senior Bowl.
Travis came to Princeton All-State career at DeLaSalle in Minneapolis, where he was the Lineman of the Year. He was DeLaSalle’s Football and Basketball Player of the Year as a senior.
Aspiring to be an NFL player the 6-foot-9, 315-pound lineman was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation.
“The window to accomplish [your] dreams in terms of playing in the NFL is very small,” Travis stated in a Princeton Alumni Weekly story. “I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t take advantage of that and pursue my dreams while they’re in front of me.”
A strong advocate for social
justice, Travis is pursuing a law degree to work toward making change and influencing the change in the community.
He has interned at the New Jersey Institute of Social Justice and in the office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Travis is the Co-Director of Princeton University Pre-Law Association, which included the planning of networking and professional development opportunities for historically underrepresented undergraduates interested in pursuing legal careers.
Maurice was a fierce competitor on the field, he has been just as determined in the classroom and the TCNJ senior is involved
in many campus activities.
He had a great season at safety for the Lions as they reached the .500 level for the first time in several seasons.
Maurice was credited with 38 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and three forced fumbles this past season, but his career body of work has been exceptional.
The West Orange resident and former Seton Hall Prep star has been just as impressive in the classroom earning several NJAC and College Sports Communicators All-Academic honors.
“Jacob is everything this award is about,’’ said TCNJ coach Casey Goff. “He is a tremendous individual with unmatched work ethic. His
leadership on the field, in the classroom, and with multiple organizations on campus set an example for everyone around him. Jacob will be successful in everything he does because of who he is.’’
Maurice is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants, the Financial Management Association, the Real Estate Club, the Student Athletic Association Council and the Educational Opportunity Fund.
The future is very bright for Princeton’s Travis and The College of New jersey’s Maurice as both have shown to be scholars, leaders and athletes who have had a very positive impact on the lives of many.