NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Three members of the Christopher Newport University football team received post-season honors on Monday from the Touchdown Club of Richmond. Connor Barry was named the Quarterback of the Year, Colin Hart was tabbed the Offensive End of the Year, and Noah Martin was selected the Defensive Back of the Year by the organization. The trio of Captains was selected amongst all standouts at the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA, and NCCAA levels.

Christopher Newport this season posted its first-ever perfect regular season, going 10-0 to win the New Jersey Athletic Conference title. Paul Crowley's squad advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship for the 12th time in program history, falling to Susquehanna in the second round to finish with a mark of 10-1.

Barry, a junior from Vienna, Va., is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, the honor presented annually to the most outstanding football player in Division III. Barry was voted the Offensive Player of the Year in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, and set numerous school records for passing, including most touchdowns in a season with 35 this year. He also threw for a new mark of 2,866 yards, completed 67 percent of his passes, and averaged 260.5 yards per game passing. Barry also scored 11 times this season on runs, and was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week six times. 

Hart, a senior receiver from Ashburn, Va., was a first team All-Conference honoree in the New Jersey Athletic Conference for the fourth straight season, becoming the first CNU football standout to ever achieve first team honors four consecutive years. Hart caught 57 total passes for 1,273 yards (22.3 yards per catch and 115.7 yards per game receiving). He posted 12 touchdown receptions this fall a new CNU record, and set new program marks for career receptions and receiving yards. Hart also became just the fifth player in CNU history to record a 200-yard receiving game with 204 yards at William Paterson, and averaged 118 yards per game. He was named to the National Team of the Week by D3football.com following his first week effort vs. Trine University that saw him catch seven balls for 199 yards and a school-record four touchdowns. He concluded his outstanding career with 30 touchdowns scored.

Martin, a junior defensive back from Spotsylvania, Va., led the Captains in tackles this season with 72 in 11 games, including four stops for lost yardage. He made two interceptions, broke up three passes, and recovered a fumble to be selected first team All-Conference in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Martin made 46 solo tackles, and returned his interceptions for a total of 32 yards. This marked the second consecutive season Martin has led the CNU defense in tackles.

This announcement also marks the second straight year Barry and Martin have been recognized by the Touchdown Club of Richmond. The three honors this season bring the total to ten all-time CNU honorees in program history, including  Evan Moog, who was named the Defensive Player of the Year by the club in 2012, and Rudy Rudolph, who was selected the Receiver of the Year in 2014. Taylor Loudan also was named Receiver of the Year in 2015 and 2016 by the organization. Ben James was voted the Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2018 and 2019, and Kindrick Braxton was named Linebacker of the Year by the club in 2023.

Former Head Coach Matt Kelchner was also honored by the Touchdown Club of Richmond in 2016 when he received the Tate Memorial Award.

The Touchdown Club of Richmond is a sports-social organization, based in Richmond, Virginia. The club promotes the best interests of the American game of football and sports in general, with the predominate purpose being to recognize worthy athletes for their accomplishments. The club's membership compiles a ballot from all the football playing colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The ballot is then distributed to the club's membership for voting to determine the annual award winners.

The Captains this fall completed the 25th season in program history.

The complete list of 2025 Touchdown Club of Richmond honorees:

·       Quarterback of the Year – Connor Barry, Christopher Newport University
·       Running Back of the Year – Curtis Allen, Virginia Union University
·       Offensive End of the Year – Colin Hart, WR, Christopher Newport University
·       Offensive Lineman of the Year – Myles Bridges, Randolph-Macon College
·       Defensive Lineman of the Year – Ean Rhea, Emory & Henry College
·       Linebacker of the Year – Daniel Eliasek, Randolph-Macon College
·       Defensive Back of the Year – Noah Martin, Christopher Newport University
·       Kicking Specialist of the Year – Brady Myers, PK, Virginia Union University
·       Return Specialist of the Year – ZyAire Tart, KR, Virginia Union University