Cambridge, Mass. - October 4, 2026 - Springfield College football senior linebacker Michael Mendicino (Pound Ridge, N.Y.) has been named the recipient of this week’s Division II/III New England Football Writers Association Gold Helmet Award presented by Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation.
Mendicino had two interception returns for touchdowns in the Pride’s 36-23 New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) win over Salve Regina on Saturday. Mendicino’s first pick six resulted in a 100-yard return and gave Springfield a 17-10 third quarter lead, while his second broke a 17-17 tie early in the fourth quarter and gave Springfield a lead it would not relinquish. Additionally, Mendicino tallied five solo and two assisted tackles.
Mendicino and the Pride, the second ranked team in the Grinold Chapter New England Division III Football weekly rankings as of last Monday, defeated Salve Regina for its second conference win of the year. Springfield is one of three unbeaten NEWMAC teams in conference play alongside WPI and Merchant Marine as the Pride heads into its bye week.
Springfield will return to action on Saturday, October 17 against WPI at 12:00 pm from Stagg Field in Springfield, Massachusetts.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with seven Associate Members: New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.