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SALEM, Va.- More than 500 people, including players, parents and citizens of Salem attended the “Spotlight on Champions” championship banquet for St. Thomas and Mount Union Thursday night at the Salem Civic Center.

The banquet included a video showcasing both teams’ road to the national championship game.

A student athlete from each school was allowed to speak on their team’s accomplishments throughout the season. Wide receiver Jasper Collins spoke on behalf of Mount Union and linebacker Mike Valesano spoke for St. Thomas.

Offensive lineman Keegan Bragg, a junior, was awarded the NCAA Division III’s Elite 89 Award during the celebration. The Elite 89 award is given to the student-athlete with the highest grade point average in each NCAA championship. The mechanical engineering major maintains a 3.98 GPA. He is the second Tommie to win the award this year (Kia Johnson, volleyball).

The Tommies have a short walk through on the gridiron tomorrow morning before returning to the hotel for final game preparation. St. Thomas will arrive at the stadium around 4:50 p.m. Eastern Standard Time for the 7 p.m. kick off in the 40th edition of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

Stay tuned to TommieMedia for continuing coverage of the Tommies’ first trip to the NCAA DIII football national championship game.

Ross Schreck can be reached at schr8250@stthomas.edu.